Distribute 10000 Remdesivir vials to Nagpur by tonight: HC Staff Reporter : Solemn obligation of State to preserve each life observes High Court Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Monday directed the State Government to supply at least 10000 vials of Remdesivir injections to Nagpur city by Monday night (10 pm) and ensure its fair and equitable distribution to dedicated COVID hospitals through their in-house pharmacies. Since the Remdesivir was not supplied on April 13 and 18 and barely 400 vials were supplied on April 17 only to three hospitals the High Court directed its urgent supply to Nagpur hospitals while describing the situation as very alarming and noting the steepest ever rise in the number of COVID-19 positive patients. Passing this important order on Monday afternoon a division bench consisting of Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice S M Modak reminded the State of its “solemn obligation and constitutional duty to protect precious human life.” Not accepting the apparently discriminatory and step-motherly treatment to Nagpur patients who received insufficient quantity of Remdesivir as compared to those in districts like Thane the High Court directed immediate supply of much-needed Remdesivir to Nagpur by Monday night itself. There has been a disparity in the distribution of Remdesivir to various districts and this life-saving injection is not being released in proportion to the requirements the High Court observed tersely while setting things right. About the ongoing blame-game between State and Centre over supply of this important drug the High Court directed both the State and Centre to place on record details about demand raised by the State and response of the Centre to facilitate its procurement. Considering patient load in Maharashtra the State needs more quantity of Remdesivir Oxygen and other life-saving drugs the High Court observed. Amicus Curiae Shreerang Bhandarkar and counsels for the interveners Adv Tushar Mandlekar and Adv M Anil Kumar informed the High Court that Thane Collector had allocated 5328 vials for 2664 patients which is two Remdesivir injections for one patient; while in Nagpur there was allocation of 3326 vials for 8215 patients. As per protocol six vials are required for the patients including two vials on the first day they stated while demanding immediate respite to patients already admitted. Besides supply should be more for cities like Nagpur where the spike is more. The Amicus Curiae blamed the State for not paying the drug manufacturing companies and cited it as a major reason for low supply. Senior Counsel M G Bhangde and in-charge GP Ketaki Joshi vehemently denied the allegation and maintained that the State was doing its best to procure life-saving drugs and asserted that all possible help is being provided to all citizens. The High Court noted that the State-level committee finalised district-wise allocation and directed it to follow the principle Dire the need Surer the supply while ensuring fair and proportionate distribution of Remdesivir. About the oxygen shortage the High Court directed the District Collector and Municipal Commissioner to grant immediate permission to private hospitals ready to install oxygen generating plants using air separation technique. The High Court also directed to make available 500 sq ft space required by some of these hospitals for Oxygen plants on payment at market value if they applied for permission to use the adjoining place belonging to State Government or local authority. About the plight of COVID-19 positive patients waiting outside GMCH and other hospitals the High Court directed NMC and the district administration to set up temporary healthcare facilities for such patients and use the District Mineral Fund District Planning Committee fund with immediate effect. Indian Medical Association counsel Adv Bhanudas Kulkarni informed the court about non-utilisation of three Ayurvedic hospitals where close to 400 beds along with trained medical and para-medical staff could be put to use. The High Court then directed the administration to examine this aspect and file a report on April 21. About unwilling medicos not reporting to duty despite orders the High Court reminded them about their constitutional and ethical duty to serve the human being in this hour of crisis and warned them of penal consequences in case of breach. The High Court also directed police authorities to maintain vigil at drug supply stores where law and order problem might occur. COVID-19 scenario at its worst The High Court expressed concern over the worst-ever COVID-19 scenario in Nagpur and observed that the situation was of the gravest order while taking note of acute shortage of life-saving drugs oxygen and dearth of medical and paramedical staff. Shortage of Remdesivir has increased the worries of patients medicos and administration. Denial of Remdesivir to patients as per protocol will severely affect the management of COVID-19 patients. In some cases the possibility could not be ruled out that mortality has also occurred due to non-availability of Remdesivir drug the counsels told the High Court. In this context the High Court observed that it “would be failing in our duty if we do not remind the state government of this solemn obligation to save and preserve human life by doing whatever is possible for it today in this direction.” Consider extended timings for home delivery About the issue of home delivery of food by various restaurants the High Court took note of the problem faced by the entire family suffering from COVID-19 and not getting food from home delivery service providers due to restricted timings. Since the curfew order becomes operational after 8 pm every night the High Court asked the Commissioner of Police District Collector and Municipal Commissioner to consider this genuine difficulty and permit the restaurants to supply food to be home delivered upto such hour of the night as is permissible under the Shops and Establishments Act since supply of food to COVID-19 patients is also an essential service. Use Railway Hospital rakes The Railways informed the High Court that there were in all 29 coaches having oxygenated beds lying idle at Ajni Railway Yard and were ready for use for COVID-19 patients. The High Court directed the Municipal Commissioner to consider requisitioning of the railway rakes which are already equipped with oxygen beds to be used for giving treatment to the patients. City gets 4213 Remdesivir vials Principal Correspondent : Since rise in number of COVID-19 positive cases Nagpur was facing shortage of Remdesivir vials. In fact the private hospitals could not administer even a single injection on Sunday. Fortunately today a good stock of 4213 Remdesivir vials arrived in city. The Collector office has distributed the same among all private hospitals immediately. Right now the functional bed capacity of Nagpur districts private hospitals is 7024 and they have been distributed the vials in equal number. There are 126 hospitals in city and 39 in rural. Collector office has issued an order that was issued to all the hospitals treating COVID -19 patients. The allocation is made as per the bed capacity. In the letter name of pharmacy has been written from where the hospitals are expected to collect their stock. Of course this is a very temporary arrangement. Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court on Monday had asked the administration to allocate 10000 vials of Remdesivir but Government could bring 40% of the requirement so far.

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