The United Nurses Association has moved the Supreme Court, seeking to be heard in the suo motu case related to proper treatment of Covid-19 patients and dignified handling of dead bodies. The petition also seeks nutritious food, transport and proper accommodation near hospitals healthcare staff in view of their continued exposure to Covid patients.
With more than 1,000 healthcare workers testing Covid- positive and five losing their lives, the petitioner has sought availability of protective kits in corona hospitals and proper screening of suspected patients before admission to ensure speedy testing.
The petition seeks full and timely payment of salaries to the health workers in private hospitals, claiming that they are at a greater risk of getting infected. It cites exposure of health workers to various hazards, including long working hours, physical and psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma and violence.
The petition wants that families of healthcare workers infected at the frontline of the Covid-19 outbreak response need to be looked after while they undergo treatment. It seeks expansion of scope of personal accident cover provided under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’ to healthcare workers fighting Covid-19, including those working on adhoc basis. Petition also seeks free testing and treatment for healthcare workers infected in line of duty