File Report Indicating Availability Of Remdesivir, Oxygen Cylinders,Vaccines Ventilators Etc: Madras HC To Puducherry Chief Secretary

At the outset, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy observed that four areas were of crucial importance and they are: -

• The availability of oxygen,
• The availability of the drug "Remdesivir",
• The availability of ventilators and
• The availability of adequate doses of vaccine for inoculating even those between the ages of 18 and 45.

Consequently, the Chief Secretary to the Union Territory was directed to file a report before the matter is taken up on April 26, 2021 indicating the position relating to the following issues:

• The number of vials of Remdesivir available at government hospitals and clinics;
• The number of oxygen cylinders or the quantum thereof available,
• The total requirement of oxygen,
• The availability of doses of vaccine and
• The availability of ventilators.
• The availability of beds in government hospitals and also in private hospitals and nursing homes.

Further, the Court has also directed that the Chief Secretary's report should indicate if any special notification has been recently issued to deal with the situation and the Advisories issued for maintaining Covid protocol should also be referred to.

Apart from this, the Chief Secretary has also been asked to ensure Union Territories' preparedness for the counting of the votes on May 02, 2021.

The Matter has now been listed for further hearing on 26^th April 2021.

In related news, taking suo motu notice of newspaper reports about diversion of oxygen cylinders from Tamil Nadu to other states and the availability of Remdesivir Injection, the Madras High Court on Thursday (22^nd April) had enquired about Tamil Nadu's preparedness to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Importantly, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy asked the Union of India to look into the matter of charging people for the Vaccines who are in the 18-45 age group, remarked.

"The Population between 18-45 have been left in the lurch. They are required to pay 400/ at Government Counters/Hospitals and 600/- at private counters, and since most of them would be from the middle-income groups, it would cause a huge burden on them. This matter must be looked into"

In its order, the Court also noted,

"The Court has made an appeal to the Union to consider how the less-privileged and, particularly those who have been rendered without basic resources or jobs in the wake of the lockdown of last year, may be able to afford vaccination at such high cost. It is hoped that appropriate steps would be taken to take care of the lowest denominations."

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