Order of the Patna High Court regarding management of COVID-19 situation in Bihar, 21/04/2021
Order of the Patna High Court in the matter of Shivani Kaushik Vs Union of India & Others dated 21/04/2021.
The matter related to management of COVID-19 situation in Bihar.
The court had directed inspection of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna by the Director, AIIMS, Patna and the Secretary, Bihar Human Rights Commission. The Patna High Court in its order, April 21, 2021 noted that the inspecting team report had identified certain gaps and certain suggestions like the possibility of making available High Flow Nasal Canulas (HFNC). It has also been pointed out that Finger Clip Type Oximeters are not available in the hospital.
The Court directed the Health Department, Bihar and the State Health Society to look into the gaps pointed out and the suggestions made in the joint report of the Director, AIIMS, Patna and the Secretary, BHRC for providing adequate facilities in the other Dedicated COVID Health Centres (DCHCs) and Dedicated COVID Hospitals (DCHs) as well.
The joint report mentioned that AIIMS, Patna has developed protocol for treating COVID-19 patients which could be treated as one of the guiding factors for the doctors at the COVID Care Centres (CCCs), Dedicated COVID Health Centres (DCHCs) and Dedicated COVID Hospitals (DCHs), to follow. Further, AIIMS, Patna has developed a duty roster for the doctors and nurses for treating COVID patients. The Patna High Court, asked the state of Bihar look into the same and follow if found effective and practicable.
With respect to supply of oxygen in various hospitals in Bihar, the court asked for detailed instructions from the state in respect of the effective steps which have been taken and are proposed to be taken to tide over the situation arising out of reported acute shortage of medicinal oxygen.
The court was informed of a machine ‘TrueNat’ - a small, chip based, portable and battery operated device for conducting confirmatory test of COVID-19 infection, which is approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The court said that if the equipment is cost effective and can produce results in less time than other tests, the Health Department, Bihar should consider acquiring more such equipment to optimize the number of daily COVID-19 tests.