STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Government, responding to the Gauhati High Court (GHC) on a PIL 24/2020, said that that registration of persons between 18 and 44 years of age, for vaccination was not being done due to shortage of vaccines.
Appearing before the Bench of Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua, the senior standing counsel, Government of Assam, D Saikia apprised the Court of the measures being taken by the Government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
On the queries which were made earlier by the High Court, in its reply, D Saikia said, "As regarding difficulties being faced by the villagers in getting themselves registered for vaccination through online, he would reply that apart from online registration, there are walk-in registration centres in the vaccination centres itself."
He also added, "As of now registration is being done only for persons above 45 years of age, and due to shortage of vaccines, registration of persons between 18 and 44 years of age is not being done, but it is expected that the same will be started shortly."
Further speaking about the patients suffering from other serious ailments such as cancer etc., and finding difficulties to get admitted and treatment, the Court was informed that "As Government hospitals including Guwahati Medical College & Hospital are concerned, no such distinction is being made and even a cancer patient suffering from COVID-19 will get treatment in these hospitals."
This comes after a specific case brought to the Court when an old woman residing in the border areas of Assam and Meghalaya was denied treatment by Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute as she was suffering from COVID-19. The cancer institute is not under the State Government.
To this, the Assam Government assured the Court and said, "All possible treatment for cancer and COVID-19 with the assistance of the Superintendent of Police of the district concerned."
It is to be mentioned here that patients suffering from COVID-19 who have their medical insurance are not being admitted to private hospitals unless they deposit money in advance.
To this incident, D Saikia informed the Court that "the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India had passed an order on 4.3.2020 to the effect that such persons who have a medical insurance will not be denied admission in private hospitals if they seek admission in such hospitals when they are suffering from COVID-19."
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