COVID-19: Gujarat HC seeks report over remdesivir procurement by private hospital

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court has sought a report from Devbhoomi-Dwarka district collector on steps taken on a complaint about procurement of remdesivir injections by a private hospital in absence of a patient during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in May last year.

Justice V D Nanavati sought report from the collector and issued notice to the state government over a petition filed by one Harunbhai Shaikh, who sought court’s indulgence in the alleged inaction by the authorities about supply of a remdesivir injection to a private hospital in the name of his mother, Najmaben, who had already been transferred to a government hospital.

Shaikh’s advocate submitted that Najmaben was admitted in Devbhoomi Multi-Speciality Hospital on May 12, 2021 for covid treatment. As her health deteriorated, she was prescribed remdesivir and the hospital procured two injections through nodal officer. The patient was shifted to the government hospital on May 13 evening. However, one more remdesivir injection was procured by the private hospital in Najmaben’s name on May 14. Shaikh immediately raised the issue with the district collector and requested for action in the alleged scam. Najmaben, unfortunately, passed away on May 17.

It was claimed that the district collector was reminded later about the complaint. Shaikh was called by the police for his statement and then the district panchayat’s health department also recorded his statement. However, nothing moved further.