Thread by @barandbench

#UttarakhandHighCourt to shortly hear PIL updating info relating to bed availability in #COVID19 hospital beds, for arranging more ICU beds in and around Dehradun, among other prayers.

Matter is before Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma.

The Court had recently issued a slew of directions pertaining to COVID-19 management in the State in this case, including fixing QR codes to #Remdesivir packets to tackle overpricing or hoarding of the drug.

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The Court posts the matter on May 20th with another COVID-19 related matter. Adv Abhijay Negi seeks to make short submissions.

Court says it does not have any document that has been submitted by the State. CJ urges counsel to wait till the 20th.

Court notes that there are media bulletins encouraging people to go donate plasma

Court: Only problem is, there is only one centre for the collection of plasma. Yesterday also we had urged them to create more centres

#UttarakhandHighCourt

Adv Negi: Many families, old people are COVID-19 positive and are unable to fend for their basic requirements like food. NGOs are currently involved to ensure homemade food reaches. ... Because of lockdown, they are being stopped on the way.

Negi: This is a simple problem that can be solved if the district administration can have a meeting and resolve it.

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

Negi: Second submission is wrt to crisis for non-COVID patients. Many critically ill patients are facing the wrath of apathy. They are often being turned away.

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

CJ: I wish you would bring this issue when Amit Negi is with us... let us take this matter on the 20th when Amit Negi will join us through video conferencing.

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

Abhijay Negi: One imp document placed on record day before yesterday with regard to the life-saving drug tocilizumab...Process (of procurement by patients) has become punishment...

CJ: Unfortunately, there is no much that the state can do... (as it is under Central govt control)

CJ: We agree with you, it is a very cumbersome procedure ... red-tapesim. Since the control is with the Central Government, there is nothing that can be done.

Court notes it has asked for competent authority to be present on 20th so Court can ask queries on the same.

Negi points out that Tocilizumab is available only 2 times of the day.

CJ: Agreed, but what can be done if the central govt is unmoved? ... Yesterday (we observed that) it is shocking that 25 injections have been issued for a population of 2 crore.

CJ adds that the Court has asked the competent authorities to be present so that it can pose queries on such anomalies.

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

CJ: .... why is it that the central govt is taking such a tough stand? (Wrt to #Oxygen) Yesterday it was pointed out by Amit Negi, the irony is that our State has 3 (oxygen) production units. Yet #Uttarakhand is told to keep it for the neighboring states.

CJ: We have to pick up our #oxygen tanks from Jamshedpur and Jharkhand and another place in West Bengal. As he rightly said, our (State's) hands are tied.

This court would like an explanation from the competent authorities, the Court adds.

#UttarakhandHighCourt

Why can't #Uttarakhand retain its #oxygen quota from the oxygen produced within the State and share the excess with other States?, CJ muses.

It takes time to transport (oxygen to other States and then route Uttarakhand's quota from other States), it adds to cost, CJ adds

CJ: Let us see what they say on 20th

Court asks Chief Standing Counsel CS Rawat about the issue of NGOs being stopped during lockdown during food distribution to COVID patients

CJ: Let us not treat this as adversarial...

Court notes that the issue involves food distribution to certain segments of society in need, asks whether they can be issued passes during lockdown.

CJ: I have also issued directions to DSLA to concentrate on certain segments of society - the elderly, physically challenged, transgender persons, widows in Haridwar - because I don't know who is looking after them, many of the widows tend to be destitute.

CJ notes that these are segments that require special attention: Otherwise, these segments are handicapped, they live in the twilight zone, nobody cares about them

CJ to State counsel: Convince your DMs to issue the pass (for distribution of food to COVID patients through NGOs)

CJ: NGOs and Asha workers - although I understand from media that asha workers are reluctant to go (where COVID numbers are high) - let them be provided with protective gear.

Court notes that there are over 400 containment zones in #Uttarakhand.

CJ: Who is catering to the needs of persons locked up in Containment Zones?

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

In Telangana, rice, wheat, vegetables, food oils were to be daily distributed even in containment zones, CJ notes.

CJ: Whether such a scheme has been created by our govt? I have no idea. We need such a scheme to be created by the govt...

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

CJ: Please remember, there are diabetics who need daily doses of insulin. They can live without medicines.

Court notes there may also be people with HIV, blood pressure in containment zones.

CJ: Someone will have to get medicines, injections to keep them alive.

Abhijay Negi raises concern that oxygen shops are closing at 7 pm owing to lockdown. The oxygen levels for patients often drop later at night, he points out.

CJ: Mr Rawat, these oxygen shops are not under essential services?

Rawat: It is essential services during COVID

CJ: Then why are the shops closing at 7?

Rawat: The mobile shops will be open from 7 am to 10 pm

CJ: Double-check... there may be some confusion in the minds of the shopkeepers... many things may be stated on paper, but not translated to reality in the outside world

#COVID19

CJ: Please ask the DM to ensure that at least oxygen is available... please get back to us on 20th.

Abhijay Negi seeks directions to be issued wrt to NGOs distributing food for COVID patients in need. CJ points out that he has already asked to ensure that passes are issued

Hearing over.

#UttarakhandHighCourt
#COVID19India

[COVID-19] “What can be done if Centre is unmoved?” Uttarakhand High Court flags concern over supply of Oxygen, Tocilizumab

report by @meera_emmanuel

#Uttarakhand. #COVID19India
#OxygenShortage #Tocilizumab

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