'They Are Warriors' : SC Calls For Protection Of Health Workers Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic

The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic are "warriors" who have to be protected. "They are warriors. They have to be protected", Justice Ashok Bhushan, heading the bench, observed.The bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and Ravindra Bhat was hearing a bunch of petitions seeking directions to provide adequate number of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE), masks, sanitizers, and other requisite materials for doctors, para medical staff, and other frontline workers who are combating the global pandemic. The PILs filed by Dr. Jerryl Banait, Dr. Arushi Jain and Advocate Amit Sahni were taken up by the bench comprising via videoconferencing. The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta if it was possible for Centre to set up a mechanism wherein suggestions from the public at large can be accounted for, not only for the lockdown but also in the regulatory scheme of things."We have a central control room with officials from home, health, Ayush ministries which are also present at state level. These control rooms are getting calls with suggestions and complaints. The control rooms are taking up these issues", Solicitor General replied. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the bench that all adequate measures were being taken to ensure the safety of the healthcare workers and frontline staff. "They are Corona Warriors" the Solicitor General added. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi added that salaries of doctors were being cut during this crisis and stated that without their hard work, the entire system shall collapse. While denying claims of salary cuts, the Solicitor General stated that strict action will be taken against those who cut salaries of doctors during this time. "We have police pickets in all hospitals to ensure that people who should not be mixing with other population should not leave the hospital. The police and government will be walking the extra mile to protect doctors" said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta submitted that "the national plan for fighting COVID-19 should be updated instead of taking piecemeal steps"

'They Are Warriors' : SC Calls For Protection Of Health Workers Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic

Sanya Talwar

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