SC directs states to carry out fire safety audit of dedicated Covid hospitals

Satya Prakash
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 18

The Supreme Court on Friday asked all states and union territories to constitute a committee in each district to carry out a monthly fire audit of each COVID hospital, inform the deficiency to the hospital management and report to the Government for taking follow up action.

“All States/Union Territories should appoint one nodal officer for each COVID hospital, if not already appointed, who shall be made responsible for ensuring the compliance of all fire safety measures, said a Bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan—which had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of a Rajkot hospital fire accident that claimed six lives.

“The COVID hospitals which have not obtained NOC from the fire department of the State should be asked to immediately apply for NOC and after carrying necessary inspection, a decision shall be taken,” the court said.

It said COVID hospitals which have not renewed their NOC should immediately take steps for renewal and those found not having NOC or not having obtained renewal will face appropriate action.

 The top court asked the government to devise a mechanism to give rotational breaks to doctors and healthcare professionals working continuously since April.

 “They (doctors, nurses etc.) are already exhausted physically and mentally due to tireless work for eight months. Some mechanism may be required to give them intermittent rest,” it said.

The top court also asked states and UTs to issue necessary directions to ensure compliance of the Election Commission’s guidelines for conduct of General Elections/Bye-Elections during Covid-19 to ensure safety of people in general from the pandemic.

Noting that despite the Guidelines and SOPs issued, the pandemic has spread like wildfire for lack of proper implementation, the court reiterated that its directions on Covid norms must be implemented.

 “A strict and stern action should be taken against those who are violating the Guidelines and SOPs, whoever he may be and whatever position the violator is occupying,” it said.

 Asking states to act vigilantly and to work with the Centre harmoniously, the court said, “It is the time to rise to the occasion. Safety and health of the citizens must be the first priority, rather than any other considerations.”

 It said, “People should understand their duty and follow rules very strictly. It is the duty of every citizen to perform their fundamental duties as guaranteed under the Constitution.”

 “Due to unprecedented pandemic, everybody in the world is suffering, one way or the other. It is a world war against COVID-19. Therefore, there shall be Government Public Partnership to avoid world war against COVID-19,” the Bench said.

 Those not following Covid Guidelines/SOPs cannot be permitted to play with the lives of the others and to infringe the rights (such as right to health) of other citizens, it said.