Prepare for 3rd wave of COVID pandemic, revamp oxygen formula: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI:

COVID 3rd Wave Preparation: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to spell out its plan to deal with a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, even as it held that the Centre's formula to distribute oxygen to state governments, particularly the national capital, was "a gross underestimate".

A bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah said: "The third covid surge which is around the corner, according to experts, will affect children. What is the problem in enhancing the supply? It will save from oxygen panic and create a buffer."

The top court told the Centre, which claimed though it supplied 730 MT oxygen on Wednesday, that this much oxygen was not required in Delhi. However, it also emphasised need for a speedy vaccination process, and suggested forming a committee of experts for oxygen audit as sought by the Union government.

Earlier, during the hearing, the top court observed that Centre's oxygen formula requires complete revamp.

If covid 3rd wave preparations are made right away, we may be able to tackle the third wave for which scientific planning to vaccinate persons would be needed, it said.

Elaborating on the third wave, the top court observed that when a child goes to hospital, the mother and father will also have to go. "That is why vaccination will have to be over for this group of people. We need to plan for this in a scientific way and thus make arrangement," it said.

The Centre informed the top court that oxygen supplies may dip to 560 MT in the next two days. But the top court said that supplying 700 MT daily will help Delhi build buffer stock and panic will not be there among people.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted that the government must have a solution thereby, to have a minimum fault-prone formula. "We are not saying that formula is cast in stone. We will revisit the formula," he added.

Justice Chandrachud told Mehta that important points were missed by the Centre's committee, which they, as judges, came across. "We need to deal with it. I'm not saying it's the Centre's fault. I am saying that we need to deal with the third surge in a scientifically planned manner," he noted.

The bench added that if we prepare today, we may be able to handle it, and it also urged the government to explore the possibility of utilizing services of doctors who have completed MBBS and waiting to enroll for PG courses. Under these pressing times, their services could prove crucial for the third wave, it said.

"Today we have 1.5 lakh doctors who have finished medical course but waiting for NEET exam. How do you tap them? 1.5 lakh doctors and 2.5 lakh nurses are sitting at home."

The observations were made by the top court during the hearing of an appeal filed by the Centre challenging the show-cause notice for contempt issued against its officers by the Delhi High Court for failing to provide 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi as per top court order. Yesterday, the top court had stayed the High Court order of contempt, noting that contempt will not help salvage the oxygen situation.

The top court had asked the Centre to submit a tabulated plan to meet the 700 MT oxygen target by 10.30 am on Thursday. The Centre submitted the plan to the top court. During the hearing, the top court noted that Centre's formula needs to re-examined, as it only takes into account ICU beds and hospital admissions, but not those who need oxygen at home or requirements for ambulance etc. (IANS)

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