HC wants package for lives lost due to medical negligence during Covid

Shillong, March 25: The High Court of Meghalaya has asked the state government to consider some form of package for those cases where lives may have been lost due to want of medical care during Covid .

Taking up the PIL of Agnes Kharshiing on Friday, the court observed that it should get back with a comprehensive report, backed by figures, when the matter appears on March 31.

The PIL highlighted the death of over 800 babies and 60 pregnant women.

Senior Supreme Court advocate Colin Gonsalves appeared online on behalf of Agnes.

The state said that it may not be accurate to suggest that since all hospitals were geared only for Covid treatment, would-be mothers or mothers with infants-in-arms or neo-natals requiring urgent medical attention were turned away from Government hospitals or health-care centres.

The state suggested  that in the wake of the initial surge of the pandemic, between the end of March and July, 2020, it was the fear of the pandemic that may have prevented most people from stepping out and seeking medical assistance where necessary.

However, no break-up on such account has been furnished nor have any figures been indicated as to the availability of hospital beds for delivery cases and  like during the relevant period, the court said.