NHRC seeks platform to know about essential COVID treatment

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission highlighted the need for universally functional Covid-19 dashboards for the Centre and State in wake of rising casualties caused by the COVID second wave.

The dashboard is expected to provide real-time information in the public domain on the availability of hospital beds, oxygen, critical care medicines and devices.

The commission also recommended setting up 24X7 functional toll-free helplines and fixing the prices of Covid treatment resources.

In its 2.0 Covid Advisory issued on May 4, NHRC did emphasize the need to take immediate action against those hoarding and black-marketing essential medicines, oxygen cylinders and critical care devices.

Further, it has also asked to speed up the production, transportation and distribution of essential resources.

A 4 weeks action taken report based on the recommendations contained in its Advisory 2.0 is already sent to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories by the Secretary-General.

Some important recommendations in the 2.0 advisory include the free of cost treatment under the public facility, the establishment of effective helpdesks in all public and private hospitals for a preliminary check-up, universal coverage and non-discriminatory pricing of Covid vaccines in all health facilities of the country, and if feasible, vaccination made free for everyone irrespective of private or public health establishment along with adequate testing facilities for Covid-19 and timely reports, the advisory mentions.

"Management of crematoriums and burial grounds should be improved, using electric crematorium and App-based interventions to be promoted among stakeholders." Said NHRC

"The protection of Rights of Covid warriors engaged should be ensured and the body of a deceased Covid patient should be treated with dignity and handed over to the family ensuring all Covid protocols," the commission added

The commission has also suggested imposing practical time restrictions for buying essential commodities during lockdowns.