Teesha
The Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Committee in line with UNICEF held a review meeting on 5th May 2021 that highlighted the need to provide protection and care to the children left stranded by the loss of one or both the parents to the second wave of Covid.
According to the press release dated 8th May issued by Supreme Court’s Public Relations Office, the meeting was held with the Chairpersons and Members of Juvenile Justice Committees of various High Courts, and attended by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India and officials of Departments of Women and Child Development/Social Welfare Departments, Health Department from various states and union territory.
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat commented “These children are more vulnerable now than ever before. Concerted efforts should be made by all the key stakeholders to ensure the care and protection of children during the second wave of COVID.”
S. Ravindra Bhat also noted that “There are some children who have lost either one or both parents to COVID-19 or are without parental supervision and care when their parent/s are in hospital or under medical care, and more vulnerable than ever before.”
S. Ravindra Bhat further pointed out that a mechanism needs to be developed to address interim care of such children including clear guidance on steps to be taken in the event such a child has been exposed or has symptoms of the virus and requires a period of isolation and treatment.
While emphasising the needs of caregivers he remarked “Employees of both government and private care institutions, should be vaccinated, as frontline professionals and these institutions’ services should be declared as essential services.”
For the time being, Justice Bhat traced certain priorities such as screening/testing of children in institutional care Provision of emergency medicine, supplies, emergency access to hospitals, etc and a roster of doctors available for teleconsultation.
Vaccination of all staff working in the Child Care Institutions and other frontline Child Protection workers.
Nomination of state and district level nodal officers to take decisions and constitute a task force for quick emergency response for children. Setting up a Committee in each district consisting of the nodal officer (including the DM or SDM) a representative of the concerned CWC, and the District Legal Service authority representative. And the sponsorship to children who lost their parents or who are facing economic hardship to be provided by state and Union Territories and High Court’s Committees.
“Prevention of and response to the second wave of COVID surge requires close coordination and collaboration between child protection system and health system, a multi-sectoral response ensures that children and caregivers’ need are addressed holistically and it leads to a better outcome for children.” Justice Bhat stated.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Joint Secretary Aastha Khatwani pointed out that the ministry has issued an advisory against the illegal adoption of vulnerable children.
Further, Ms Vandhana Kandhari, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF India stated that “efforts to pre-emptively scale up the capacity of family-based care and social protection systems are critical to enhance family resilience and prevent unnecessary recourse to residential care”. And “In order to provide interim care to the children, extended family members, trusted friends, good neighbours and or community members can be declared fit person”
This concern was also highlighted by the Bench of Justice D. Y. Chandrachud in which the court said “The third surge in India which is around the corner according to experts will affect children. So when a child goes to the hospital, the mother and father will also have to go. That is why vaccination will have to be over for this group of people. we need to plan for this in a scientific way and thus make an arrangement.”