Center goaded by judiciary on covid policy

It is alarming to note that the Covid tsunami, which is playing havoc in 12 States with more than one lakh active cases, will subside only by the end of June. In this difficult situation, the only ray of hope comes from the judiciary’s proactive stand.

Hyderabad: As the massive vaccination drive is going around the globe to fight Covid, India which accounts for the production of 60 percent of the vaccine in the world, suffered a setback because of lack of foresight.

Though the Center has taken upon itself the responsibility of vaccinating people above 45 years, its present vaccinations have fallen by half when compared with the vaccines administered over a month ago.

The proposal to vaccinate everyone above 18 years of age from May 1 also suffered a blow. It is a matter of concern that it will take another month or so to reach the desired production level of 10 crores to 11 crore doses a month.

It is alarming to note that the Covid tsunami, which is playing havoc in 12 States with more than one lakh active cases, will subside only by the end of June. In this difficult situation, the only ray of hope comes from the judiciary’s proactive stand.

READ:WHO Chief Scientist says India's COVID-19 figures worrying

At the present pace, it would take at least eight months to vaccinate 80 crore people that are above 18 years of age in the country. The Supreme Court has recently stated that the Center’s vaccine policy is subverting the people’s right to life. It has now ordered the government to formulate a comprehensive vaccination policy.

Former RBI Governor C Rangarajan has advised that while the Center should proceed with a free vaccination program as before, States should concentrate on improving basic medical infrastructure and develop hospitals.

Whereas the other countries are able to filter out covid victims by conducting 50 percent tests, India has managed to conduct only 20 percent tests.

This laxity is giving new strength to the covid virus.

Hundreds of people in India died due to the non-availability of oxygen and ventilators. Having lost patience after making repeated pleas for help, State governments have taken recourse to legal battles for oxygen.

It is unfortunate that the authorities failed to budge until they were pulled up by the courts.

READ:Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12

The Supreme Court has refused to buy the hollow argument put forth by the Center that it has allotted oxygen quota on the basis of the ratio of ICUs and common beds at the State hospitals. It has also called for a reform in the Center’s oxygen quota policy.

Mentioning the analyses which point to the fact that children too could be victims in the next phase of the covid surge, the Supreme Court has called for preparatory arrangements to meet the challenge. Ironically courts had to intervene when the Center refused to relax GST on Oxygen manufacturing equipment.

On the global front, a total of 125 crore doses of vaccine have been administered to the people in 174 countries around the globe.

The World Health Organization, which has already stated that no one is safe till everyone is vaccinated, pointed out that vaccination in richer countries is proceeding at a pace that is 25 times greater than the pace of vaccination in poorer countries.

It has warned that the vaccination disparity could be suicidal to the World.

READ:COVID mayhem: Over 300 bodies cremated every day in Bengaluru

Last October, India and South Africa had called for setting aside the arguments related to patents over the vaccine and demanded access to faster and cheaper vaccination to all the countries of the World.

Though the lone superpower, the USA, is favorably disposed towards the proposal at present, it will take at least a few months to evolve a rational policy after discussing all the intricacies involved in this regard.