Step up supply of oxygen, Remdesivir, hospital beds: HC

 

Appreciating the ongoing efforts of administration in tackling the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Monday urged all authorities and medical fraternity to do something more to provide a helping hand, proper oxygenated beds, necessary medicines including Remdesivir and security to medical establishments. The High Court also applauded Government Hospitals for their sincerity and dedication in handling the pandemic and hoped that more should be done to enhance their infrastructure. “We don’t believe in living in ivory towers and know what is happening on the ground,” the High Court observed while putting everybody on the toes. A division bench consisting of Justice Z A Haq and Justice Amit Borkar, in a special hearing held on Monday afternoon on suo-motu PIL, also requested the Guardian Minister to co-ordinate with Chief Minister to personally look into proposal of jacking up the capacity of oxygen plant and liquid oxygen plant.

 

 

 

 

The capacity can be enhanced for Rs 10 crore to produce 900 cylinders per day and looking at the acute shortage of oxygen faced by hospitals and industry, the State must take decision expeditiously, the High Court observed while expecting a positive reply by Tuesday afternoon. The hearing, which lasted for almost two hours, hovered around all the problems highlighted by Amicus Curiae Shreerang Bhandarkar and by the division bench as well about problems faced by common citizens. The High Court made it clear that it was not interested in any blame-game or pulling up the authorities, but would effectively try to address the issue by removing some roadblocks. The High Court recorded statement of Joint FDA Commissioner Vijay Kose about stock and supply of Remdesivir to needy patients only through notified COVID hospitals. About its alleged black-marketing and shortage faced by asymptomatic patients who are not hospitalised, the High Court asked Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) authorities to devise some mechanism to resolve this genuine problem.

 

The Amicus Curiae also pointed out non-availability of Tocilizumab injections and apprehended its black-marketing and hoarding by some elements. The High Court directed FDA Commissioner to probe the matter immediately and place report by Tuesday afternoon and track the flow of Tocilizumab injections from production centres and factories to wholesalers, to retailers, dispensing of these injunctions from the counters of private pharmacists to check hoarding, and take stern action against the erring persons. Commenting upon certain violent incidents against doctors and medical establishments, the High Court directed police machinery to deploy adequate force at hospitals to prevent rowdy behaviour by political outfits or activists and to maintain regular patrolling. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), which was under fire over bed shortage informed the High Court about its inability to activate 200 beds which are ready, due to paucity of trained medical and para-medic staff, despite offering best salary. About statement made by Dayashankar Tiwari, Mayor, to activate 500-bed jumbo COVID Centre at Mankapur Indoor Stadium, the High Court asked NMC counsel to submit separate affidavits of Mayor and Municipal Commissioner about feasibility of the proposal.

 

When the Mayor has made a public statement, it must have some logic, the High Court stated while seeking his stance on affidavit. When it was pointed out that the Guardian Minister had made similar announcement last year, but it could not materialise since authorities found it unfeasible, the High Court observed that there should not be politicking over this sensitive issue and no attempt should be made to give false hopes to citizens. The High Court also urged media not to press the panic button and paint a scary picture due to which society goes under turmoil and instead requested all media to help in boosting morale of those tackling COVID-19 pandemic including health workers and highlight positive news of human fight against this devastating pandemic. Adv Shreerang Bhandarkar (Amicus Curiae), Adv Sudhir Puranik (NMC), ASGI Ulhas Aurangabadkar, Adv Sushma Jha (Union), Senior Advocate M G Bhangde, In-charge GP Ketaki Joshi and Additional GP Deepak Thakre (State), Adv M Anil Kumar (Intervenor) appeared in the matter. 

 

 

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, spoke to another Remdesivir injection manufacturer Mylan Laboratories Limited with a request to make available more doses of the injection to Nagpur. According to a statement released by Gadkari’s office, he spoke to Rakesh Bamzai, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mylan Laboratories Limited, over telephone. On Gadkari’s request, Bamzai assured to make available Remdesivir injections to Nagpur. Accordingly, as many as 4,000 injections were made available in Nagpur on Monday. Also, second lot will be supplied to Nagpur soon. Earlier, Gadkari had spoken to Dilip Shanghvi of Sun Pharma and the company had made available 3,000 doses in Nagpur with assurance to provide remaining 7,000 doses in next couple of days.