Bombay High Court asks BMC, can you start doorstep vaccination for select groups

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has asked the Mumbai Civil Body whether it can introduce the Covid-19 vaccination program which is not accessible to senior citizens and the disabled. Vaccination centers.  A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dutta and Justice GS Kulkarni said if the BMC. If the BMC says that house-to-house vaccination can be started, we will approve it.  No need to wait for central government approval. 

Do you come to the aid of older citizens?  Chief Justice Dutta said that although the Center does not give the green signal for house-to-house vaccination, we are ready to give you (BMC) the green signal.  Can BMC vaccinate those who are unable to leave their homes?  The court asked.  The court directed BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal to submit an affidavit stating whether senior citizens, persons with disabilities, bedridden or wheelchair users can undergo home vaccination drive with proper medical care.  -Bound. 

The court said it would hear more on Thursday.  It points out that every day is valuable at such times.  The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by two lawyers, Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari.  The PUC has asked the Central Government to start a door-to-door vaccination drive for senior citizens above 75 years of age, the physically challenged, and bedridden and wheelchair bound.  The High Court had earlier asked the Central Government to conduct a review on the policy of providing in-door vaccination. This was not possible due to various reasons such as wastage of vaccines and non-availability of monitoring centers for beneficiaries after vaccination (for any immediate side effects).

The committee met on May 18.  Singh said the committee had submitted some recommendations such as taking people who could not leave their homes on stretchers to vaccination centers.  He said the government would issue Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in this regard.  The court ruled that the experts on the committee may be academics but they have no knowledge of the facts. 

The bench said that there are many places in the country where buildings are located on narrow paths and therefore one cannot get out on a stretcher.  Chief Justice Dutta gave examples of Kolkata where he was born and raised, saying that the buildings in that city were so close to each other that no stretcher could be taken there.  

Justice Kulkarni pointed out that even in Mumbai, there are old buildings with wooden stairs.  There are many houses in our country located on narrow lanes.  Elderly citizens and people with disabilities living here cannot go out.  Are you (centre) saying that these individuals are not eligible for the vaccine?  How do you (centre) meet the needs of such people?  The court asked.