Affordable treatment a fundamental right: SC on Covid

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that Covid-19 pandemic has spread like wild fire owing to the lack of implementation of guidelines and SOPs. “Everybody in the world is suffering one way or the other. It is a world war against Covid-19,” a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ashoke Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah said. "Right to health is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Right to Health includes affordable treatment. Therefore, it is the duty upon the State to make provisions for affordable treatment," the court said.

Calling for more vigilance and surveillance, the bench said if the authorities decide to impose curfew or lockdown, it must be announced in advance so that people may make provisions for their livelihood.The apex court said strict and stern action should be taken against those who are violating Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs, irrespective of their position. The bench said there should be more police personnel at food courts, eateries, vegetable markets, sabzi mandis, bus stations, railway stations etc as these are the places which are seeing gathering of people.

The bench had taken up the issue of healthcare during the time of the pandemic on its own and also looked at instances where bodies of coronavirus casualties were not handled with dignity. "Either more and more provisions are to be made by the state government and the local administration or there shall be cap on the fees charged by the private hospitals which can be in exercise of the powers under the Disaster Management Act," they added.