Thread by @fpjindia

#BombayHighCourt bench headed by #chiefjustice Dipankar Datta to hear a #PIL filed by advocate Sneha Marjadi highlighting #OxygenShortage in various govt-run and private #hospitals in #Mumbai. HC on Tuesday had asked the Centre, State and .@mybmc to come prepared

In the last hearing, the bench had ordered the authorities to ensure there is consistent supply of #Oxygen and #Remdesivir, and to also ensure that the public at large is made aware that #Remdesivir isn't a 'MAGIC DRUG' and must be used sparingly

The Bench has assembled. Hearing begins

CJ: What is the progress in the matter?
Advocate Anil Sakhre for .@mybmc: We are in much control of #oxygen, essential drugs, beds management and tests. We have issued fresh guidelines that no prescription would be asked.

Sakhre: We have fixed suppliers and are also coordinating with FDA. Work is being managed on priority basis. Officers are working in three shifts.

In #Mumbai at least there is no shortage

J Kulkarni: Is #Oxygen adequate?

Sakhre: Yes.

CJ questions: Our orders have been complied with? Are families of patients being made to run from pillar to post ?
Sakhre: I can say about #Mumbai . There is no such instance
State: State - We are ensuring that the families of patients do not have to run from pillar to post

State: A meeting is underway to implement your lordship's last order.
CJ: Why wasn't the meeting held till today? We sat till midnight to ensure the order copy is made available.

J Kulkarni: How long does it take to appoint a nodal officer and a helpline ? It takes a few hours.

The intention was to ensure the mechanism is in place immediately

J Kulkarni: What about permissions to more labs for RTPCR ?

Since no positive response

CJ: We adjourn the matter till Thursday, with a hope that you would submit a proper affidavit.

Simil Purohit, advocate for petitioner Sneha Marjadi - .@mybmc data shows something else but the social media posts narrate a different story altogether.

The data is reconciled weekly. They can provide fresh data every three hour, especially for #ICU beds. #COVID19

CJ asks Sakhre: What about the .@mybmc helpline number 1916. Which is for ICU beds?
CJ asks Purohit to dial the number right now
Purohit calls 1916 asks for ICU bed. Says patient is from Worli. Official at the helpline number suggests Purohit to call local ward war room

Sakhre: Since patient is from Worli, he will have to go through the local ward war room.

War Room Officer doesn't speak. Disconnects call

Purohit calls for third time

Advocate Arshil Shah calls ward war room asks for ICU bed. His call is answered.

The ward officer asks Shah to first register and then he would receive a call. And based on his parameters he would be given a bed

Now ward war room answers Purohit's call.
Purohit: His relative needs #ICU oxygen bed
Officer gives him a contact number, to speak for the bed

Sakhre intervenes: The mechanism is our team first studies the report and then decides the admission

CJ: How often do you refresh your dashboard?

Sakhre: Every 24 hours.

J Kulkarni: 24 hours would be little late. There might be discharges every hour thus a patient can't be made to wait for 24 hours

Adv Shah: Ground reality is different from what .@mybmc is saying.

A known person ran from Dahisar to South Bombay for #Remdesivir vials.

J Kulkarni: Mr Sakhre submit an affidavit. How you propose to synchronize this helpline for ICU beds?

CJ: There is no question to blame anyone. Let's be positive and think positive

There is a change in the conditions in last three to four days. Mr Sakhare ensure that all resources are used

Purohit: Directives are also needed for #crematoriums.
The gas system of crematoriums are very less. We hope that its isn't used but we should ensure that the furnaces are in proper state.

J Kulkarni: Mr Sakhare how many electric or gas furnaces are available?

J Kulkarni asks state to clarify the instance where in #Beed there were 12 dead bodies were stacked in a single ambulance

Adv Rajesh Inamdar intervenes: State must be asked to specify what about all the districts?

There is a persistent situation in various districts

J Kulkarni: Why don't the state by the end of the day today order all authorities to ensure that dead bodies aren't made to wait in a crematoriums for their cremation. They can't be made to wait for hours altogether.

J Kulkarni: Don't release the body until there is space in the crematoriums. Why to make them wait?

State: It is the duty of the #Civic body to coordinate with crematoriums

CJ pulls up the state counsel: Don't pass on the buck. Work hand in hand.

Purohit: Yesterday there were only 3,000 odd positive #COVID19 cases just because there were only around 28,000 tests conducted

Purohit: They have reduced the number of tests thus less cases

Even in crematoriums, the gas and electric ones must be increased. If we start working on all these issues now, it would ensure a better future

The chances of #COVID19 spreading is more if the body is made to wait

J Kulkarni: Why doesn't the .@mybmc operationalize the gas crematoriums?

We want a detailed affidavit with some progress on Thursday

Purohit seeks direction to the company maintaining data of the civic body to submit a certified copy of the data.

CJ: Let's no get into technicalities. Human lives are more precious than these certifications.

Matter adjourned till Thursday 1:45 pm

Additional Solicitor General for Centre Anil Singh appears

CJ tells Center to file an affidavit asking him to specify how much #Remdesivir and #Oxygen is allocated to state. #Maharashtra is at the top even today. You being the sole authority for distribution. Place your stand.

J Kulkarni: A political personality distributed 10,000 vials of #Remdesivir.

How is it possible? How can that politician airlift such a huge quantity especially when people are running from pillar to post.

Won't this amount to privatization of the distribution of this drug?

CJ: Let the Union file an affidavit on this. If such an instance is repeated, we will call the #Pharmaceutical companies.

J Kulkarni: Delhi is under crisis. How can this individual bring #Remdesivir from there.

ASG Singh: Sir let's not rely upon media reports.

CJ: Not all media reports are fake.

PIL HAS BEEN ADJOURNED TILL THURSDAY 1.45 pm