The Supreme Court today said that the Government needs to do more in order to protect the corona Warriors while hearing a plea seeking accommodation and quarantine facilities for health workers involved in treating COVID-19 patients.
The bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MR Shah were hearing a petition filed by Dr. Arushi Jain through AOR Mithu Jain, Advocate Mr. Arjun Syal, and Mr. Arnav Vidyarthi seeking direction to the Union of India to provide alternative accommodation and lodging facilities to the frontline medical healthcare personnel while performing the duty.
Senior Counsel KV Vishwanathan appearing for the petitioner referring to the affidavit filed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare submitted that the criteria for Quarantine stated by the Ministry were not enough and exposed doctors and their family to greater risk.
Justice Kaul said that there were two aspects that need to be considered – firstly how to solve the problem of high risk exposure for doctors handling COVID patients and secondly accommodations for doctors with requisite parameters to curb the spread of virus.
Justice Kaul addressing the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta further remarked “This country cannot have dissatisfied soldiers referring to doctors and personnel at the frontlines of the covid19 crisis”
Vishwanathan further submitted that “government doctors are subjected to wage deductions and private doctors are not being given proper salaries. Moreover the kind of violence they are going through is an additional menace.”
On hearing the petitioners submissions the bench said, “The doctors are not being paid, these things are coming to light. We don’t think what is happening should be happening! You must do more for them. Their concerns must be addressed!”
SG Mehta replied, ”We already have 5-star hotels being used for accommodations for doctors treating covid19 patients.”
The bench has listed the matter for next hearing on Wednesday with a direction to submit suggestions to the Ministry of Health and Family welfare.
-India Legal Bureau