Sakshi Chhabra
The Gujarat High Court asked the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to set up an online dashboard that has real-time updates on the available beds in different hospitals for the COVID-19 patients.
This case was heard by the division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Bhargav D Karia.
Chief Justice Vikram Nath stated, “We are very pained at the State’s approach and Corporation’s approach. Orders passed by this court are being completely ignored. For the last three orders, we have been mentioning the issue of real-time updates. But till today, nothing has been done by the State or the Corporations.”
On this Advocate Mihir Joshi, appearing for AMC informed the court that the updates were done twice a day on the AHNA (Ahmedabad Hospitals & Nursing Homes Association) dashboard.
The Chief Justice then pointed that other corporations that are much larger in size have real-time data on their websites as to when a patient is admitted or when a vacancy is available when a patient is discharged.
He further stated that the AMC was lacking behind to provide real-time data for the COVID-19 patients in need and because of this, patients were running in search of beds from one hospital to another.
The issue of the 108 Ambulance policy was also highlighted during the hearing, the High Court had denied the policy of admitting only those patients in the government hospitals who come in the 108 Ambulance.
Advocate Mihir then informed the court that this policy was justified as it was done in public interest in order to centralize the availability of free beds only to the patients in need.
A central controller who has complete information on the availability of beds, oxygen supply, etc. is always available on the 108 number.
Thus, people who are even rushing to the hospital in a car can also call on the 108 number and know in which hospital a bed is available.
The court also heard various other submission made in the same matter.
Advocate Percy Kavina pointed out that there are no hospitals in remote areas, the death count of a village is not in count as there is no proper machinery and that there is a delay in the RT-PCR results.
He further stated that the vaccination has become a fiasco and people aged above 45 years have not yet received their second dose.
Advocate Shalin Mehta submitted that due to insufficient oxygen supply, patients admitted are receiving less oxygen than needed.
He further informed the court that where a patient needs 5 litres of oxygen he is provided only 1litre, thus advance steps must be taken to procure oxygen supply.
Advocate Anand Yagnik made suggestions on the education sector stating that due to online lectures been held the underprivileged students should be provided with an alternative.
He also recommended that steps must be taken for children under the custody of the State and for children suffering from Mongoloid syndrome. Medical facilities should be ensured at Nari Niketan especially to those who are staying there under the orders of the court.
The court noted the submissions made by the Advocates and sought that necessary actions will be taken.