Set up helpline for health workers: HC to AAP govt

New Delhi: Delhi high court on Thursday advised the Aam Aadmi Party government in the capital to set up a helpline where healthcare workers can call anonymously to complain against private hospitals or nursing homes not providing N-95 masks and personal protection equipment (PPE) kits.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan suggested the same during the hearing of a PIL by an NGO, which alleged that nurses in private hospitals and nursing homes were not being provided proper personal protection equipment and masks.

The court said once a complaint is received on the helpline, Delhi government can inspect the hospital or nursing home concerned and fulfil the requirement for PPE kits and masks and also take action. It asked the NGO, Distress Management Collective, to give suggestions on how the issues raised in its PIL can be addressed and listed the matter for hearing on July 6.

The NGO alleged that nurses in private hospitals and clinics were being given used PPE kits. It demanded that all the private sector nurses be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) of insurance protection and provided proper psycho-social support.

In response, the state government said that it takes action against private hospitals and nursing homes which violate Covid-19 guidelines as and when such instances are brought to its attention. It further told the high court that it has issued an office order on April 7, which stated that any person, including doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, sweeper or any other staff in government or private sector, expires while attending to Covid-19 patients his her family shall be provided Rs 1 crore as compensation.

The Centre, represented by its standing counsel Anil Soni, told the court that it was providing all assistance to the states which have to do the actual work. It has in its affidavit said that it has provided PPE kits and N-95 masks to states and Union territories as per their requirement and it is up to them to “optimally utilise” the protective gear. The central government maintained that healthcare workers in government and private sectors are covered under the PMGKP, which provides comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh.