COVID-19: Another Plea In SC For Ensuring Availability Of Protection Kits For Doctors, Police Personnel Working At Frontline

Relying on various media reports on shortage of PPE in the country, Sahni states that such shortage of the safety equipments is not only putting the Health workers at severe risk but is also lowering down the morale amongst the Health Workers Community.

Thus, he has enjoined the Central government as well as all the state governments as Respondent parties, and has pleaded that a direction be made to them to monitor the shortage and procurement of the same on daily basis in the larger public interest.

"In order to keep the morale of Health Worker high, the Government of India and other State Governments are duty bound to immediately take appropriate measures to resolve the shortage of health equipments… if the immediate steps towards maintaining security of Health Workers are not taken, then the entire healthcare system of the Country would collapse," the plea states.

Intera alia, the Petitioner has also urged the court to consider for granting Emergency Parole to the cases of all prisoners above 50 years of age and have underlying conditions i.e. diabetes, Respiratory Problems, Renal diseases and other life threatening illnesses, since they are more prone to contracting infection.

Another plea on similar lines, seeking mandatory access to medical equipment's and PPE's to every person working at the frontline, regardless of their profile or rank, has been filed before the Supreme Court by Sumit Mehta and Vikrant Narulla.

Further, in another PIL seeking availability of World Health Organisation (WHO) approved PPE and safety gears, the Supreme Court has asked the Central government to file its reply within three weeks.