27 May,2021 04:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
The PIL says that medical personnel must get free mediclaim and boarding from the government. File pic
A city advocate, Siddharth Chandrashekhar is the petitioner in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court on May 19, calling for overall improvement of working conditions, family welfare benefits for medical personnel who are putting their life on the line fighting against Covid-19.
The PIL advocate on record is Bruno Castellino and counsel is Anita Shekhar Castellino. Chandrashekhar, 34, said about his PIL, with the Union of India and Others as respondents, "It was the second wave that hit close to home. I witnessed friends in the medical field who contracted the virus, having at times, made to look for beds just like other people, to pay astronomical medical bills. All for what? For treating suffering patients? For putting their life on the line, along with that of their family at times."
Counsel Anita Castellino stated that, "the petition also highlights the poor living condition of young doctors. At times, doctors or medicos are living six people in a 10x10 room. While this PIL is pandemic specific, it is time we cast a holistic look at the medical scene and bring improvements in every aspect of their life."
Also Read: Over 400 doctors died of Covid-19 during second wave, at least 100 in Delhi: IMA
Chandrashekhar added, "Thali bajao, candle jalao is not enough, we needed to do something substantial. We are treating the medical frontline like cannon fodder. We do not arm them with enough ammunition, and then tell them to go and fight the virus war." The most telling point in the PIL is that the medical professional is exactly like a soldier today. Terminology like warrior, frontline, battle, war is now part of the virus lexicon. So, if a healthcare worker dies in his line of duty, his family must be entitled to benefits like fallen soldiers or war hero families get. Chandrashekhar said, "My PIL says medical heroes are our frontline warriors not just in name but de facto as well. All the benefits bestowed upon war heroes should be extended to them. Their memories should be celebrated similarly, memorials should be erected lest we forget their sacrifice."
Currently, more than memorials, mediclaim is the pragmatic choice. "Free and full medical insurance coverage for all medical doctors, present students and healthcare workers is a must and also for their dependents. Free food and boarding by the government, including regulated and reasonable working hours, even during the pandemic is one more point," said Chandrashekhar. The working hours point is vital as the petitioner does acknowledge that the system is stretched in these times, but adds, "we cannot have work hours that stretch for 24 or even 36 hours without breaks." When asked about the slow pace of our courts, the high pendency and so the wisdom of filing a PIL even as the tail of the second wave continues to wag, the South Mumbai advocate finished, "We have full faith that the judiciary will step in where the executive has failed to do so, as soon as this is brought to their notice through the PIL."
