Coronavirus threat: HC directs CS to file to PIL seeking measures to pandemic
Srinagar March 12: The J&K High Court today issued notice to Chief Secretary of J&K and directed him to file the reply to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking effective measures to combat the pandemic Coronovirus in the union territory.
A division bench issued notice to Chief Secretary of J&K and directed him to file the reply to the contentions raised in the PIL within four days and ordered listing of the matter on March 16.
The PIL asked the court to command the respondents to take effectual preventive measures to combat the pandemic.
It sought directions to the J&K administration to formulate a policy laying the infrastructure for the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of the deadly disease which has claimed thousands of lives throughout the world.
It also sought to set up special fever hospitals and isolated treatment centers managed by specially trained medical and para-medical staff.
Calling for provision of facilities for conduct of all pathological tests and treatment free of cost in the region, the PIL sought setting up special screening system for the detection of suspected or infected persons at airports, bus and railway terminals across the territory.
It said that the pandemic is reported to have extended its impact to this part of the globe as well, which is manifest from the isolation of some suspected patients in SKIMS.
Apart from such prognosis the influx of tourists and repatriation of local residents from China and other affected regions is likely to keep the situation vulnerable and further compounded by the ill-preparedness of the authorities and the recessive medical facilities, it said.
It said that the local administration has yet to come up with any concrete policy to combat the impeding outbreak of the disease. The hygienic condition of hospitals and primary health care centers continues to remain by and large dismal, it claimed.
The petition stated that the standardized preventive measures globally in vogue, provide for screening and pre-emptive quarantine of the suspected patients generally manifested by paraxia (fever, influenza etc.), besides commissioning of special Fever Hospitals at isolated places.
It called for special attention on sanitization at crowded places like schools, hospitals, public utility centres including courts.
The PIL contended that the medical and para-medical staff is required to be trained, equipped with the methods of preventive treatment and management of the epidemic with special attention towards prophylactic measures.
The government the petition said is under an obligation to create awareness among the masses towards the development of immunity and inculcate sense of hygiene.
Rashid Paul is Associate Editor at Kashmir Images.
He can be reached at [email protected]
