In recent times there have been many petitions filed in Supreme Court (SC) and High Courts regarding Covid management by the state and central govt. A few days back SC raised some queries and asked the Centre to file the reply on the same. Yesterday on 10th May Centre in their 218-page affidavit asked SC not to interfere in vaccine policy, as that will be detrimental to our efforts. The “wisdom of the executive should be trusted” in times of grave crisis.
Following are the highlights from the Centre’s affidavit :
Hospital Admission Policy
According to the Centre, a three-tier health infrastructure system has been set up to appropriately manage Covid-19 cases. This includes Covid care centres for mild cases, Covid health centres for moderate cases and Covid hospitals for severe cases.
For admission to a Covid health facility, a patient does not require a positive RT-PCR or rapid antigen test report.
Additionally, any patient can be admitted to a Covid health facility anywhere in the country, regardless of where they live. There is no need to show an Aadhar card or other identity card proving that the patient belongs to the place where the health facility is located.
Medical Staff
The govt stated in its affidavit that it had written to all the states and Union Territories to provide for “extraordinary measures to augment the need of medical staff in the country”.
On May 3, a circular was issued to allow medical students in their fifth year of study to be inducted for Covid-19 duty. Remuneration and financial incentives will be offered to those who sign up for a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty on a contractual basis.
As per the Centre, the number of Covid centres, hospital beds, doctors and nurses has been increased to handle the second wave of the pandemic.
Vaccine Policy
The Centre said in its affidavit that the production of Covid-19 vaccines started only recently since the vaccines were developed only a few months ago across the world.
“Every country in the world has followed a system of prioritisation in light of limited availability of vaccines,” the statement read. Hence, India too opened up its vaccination drive to different sections of the population in a phased manner. As of 1st May, all citizens above the age of 18 are eligible for vaccination.
Vaccine doses available for the states or the ‘Other than Govt of India Channel’ has been worked out based on the monthly production of vaccine manufacturers and the doses cleared by the Central Drugs Laboratory that are projected to be available with them.
This amount has been proportionately allocated to states based on their population in the 18 to 44-year age group. In this way, states will be able to procure only the quantity allotted to them from the manufacturers so that there is no disparity in vaccine availability between states.
Vaccine Pricing
The Centre has said that the “wisdom of the executive should be trusted” in times of grave crisis such as what is being experienced presently. Hence, in the case of vaccine pricing, “the executive functioning of the government needs the discretion to formulate policy in larger interest”.
The affidavit stated that the Centre, by conducting informal consultations with the vaccine manufacturers, ensured the price of the vaccines was uniform across states.
The Centre claimed that it had been given the vaccine at a cheaper rate than the states or private hospitals since it placed a larger purchase order and money in advance to the companies.
The option to pay the price and get vaccinated at a private hospital exists for those who want to opt for the same and can afford it. The Centre said that 25 per cent vaccination through the private sector would facilitate better access and reduce the operational stress on government vaccination facilities.
Imported Vaccines
The govt has stated that significant efforts were being made at several levels, including diplomatic channels, to procure vaccines from other countries.
It asked the Supreme Court not to interfere in the issue as “any discussion on this aspect is likely to be detrimental to the efforts being made by the central government in other countries”.
Online Registration for Vaccine
The Centre has said the system was justified “effective vaccine administration”. It allows the govt to track those who have received one dose and send them reminders for their second dose. It is working effectively.
Advance Payment to Serum Institute & Bharat Biotech
The Centre said that the money it gave to vaccine producers Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech was not an investment but “advance payments”. No govt aid, assistance or grant was made for research or development of either of their vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin.
However, the affidavit also said that the two companies were given some financial assistance for conducting clinical trials.
It is a good thing that the Centre has clarified the things to SC, and indirectly hinted that let executive and govt do their job in this pandemic, as they have expertise available. The setting up of a panel by SC will not be useful as they have to depend on the executive. But Centre has failed to comment on the mishandling of vaccine management, as they have announced that all above 18 years of age are eligible for the vaccine, but the availability of vaccine is not able to cope with the increased demand. The centre should have also explained why after making budgetary provision Rs 35,000 Cr , now asking states to bear the cost of the vaccine. The Centre also did not inform how much they have already spent from this budgetary provision for the purchase of vaccine.
Waiting for your views/comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
11th May 2021