Ahmedabad: Amid the Covid-19 crisis in the country, Gujarat High Court during the hearing of suo moto PIL, asked the state government how the number of tests has increased while laboratories or machinery have not been ramped up. The HC took a dig based on the information provided by the state government.
The HC has ordered the state government to take over the management of 108 medical emergency ambulance service from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The HC also directed the AMC to provide medical treatment to every Covid-19 patient as per the state government rules.
Frame policy for supply of Remedisivir
Regarding Remedisivir injections, the HC ordered the state government to frame a policy to ensure that every needy patient is administered with the drug in all hospitals. The policy should be transparent and uniform in the entire state, the HC added.
With respect to the supply of oxygen, the HC said that the government need to find out alternative sources of fast production of medical oxygen. The non-functioning PSA plants must be made operational. In order to break the chain of infection, desk boards should be set up outside hospitals and physical infrastructure should be expanded. The state government has been directed to come up with its response to the above directive on the next hearing slated for May 4.
Elaborate on RT-PCR testing machine claims
The state government has also been directed to elaborate on its claims regarding RT-PCR testing machines in an affidavit to the Court. Earlier, the government did not provide any information on the RT-PCR laboratories which were ordered to be installed in 26 universities. In addition, the time required for the test report is also not mentioned, the Court pointed out.
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Use of ambulance to reach hospital not mandatory
The HC also slammed the state government on its failure to direct AMC to provide treatment to those patients who do not come in 108 ambulances. While 108 ambulance services are not timely delivered, patients who reach the hospital in private vehicle are also denied treatment, the Court stated. In reference to chapter XXVII of the Gujarat Municipal Corporation Act of 1949, the HC said AMC is under the state government.
After a meeting convened by additional chief secretary Dr Rajiv Gupta, it was decided that it would be no more mandatory for patients to use 108 ambulance service to get medical treatment. All hospitals are directed to admit patients even if they use private vehicle to reach hospital. The requirement of Aadhar card was also dismissed. In order to ramp up the number of beds, hospital authorities were directed to reserve 75% of beds for Covid patients and the remaining 25% of beds for other patients.
Display boards listing availability of beds
After the High Court’s stricture, the AMC on Thursday changed its rules regarding hospitals and directed all COVID care hospitals in the city to put up billboards displaying the availability of beds. The AMC had published its amended order on Wednesday itself.
Prioritise on medical condition, not token system
Addressing the controversy over the token system for admission in Dhawantari hospital, the HC directed the state government to deploy a team of doctors in hospitals to examine patients who come for admission and decide the priority of their treatment and allotment of beds on the basis of their critical condition. The team should cater to the mental and physical satisfaction of patients, the court said.
A petition was filed in the Court against the token system, stating that patients who booked admission between 8 am to 8 pm were prioritised while a patient who arrives on an emergency basis is neglected.
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