The Supreme Court stressed the nation’s duty to support doctors who risked their lives during COVID-19, urging data on compensation schemes. Justice PS Narasimha said, “The first profession that protects human life is the doctor.”
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday made an important observation, stressing that society must always support medical professionals, especially those who gave their lives while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bench, consisting of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan, was hearing a petition filed by the families of doctors and healthcare workers who died during the pandemic.
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The case relates to the Union Government’s Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19, which was announced to provide financial assistance to the families of deceased frontline workers.
During the hearing, Justice PS Narasimha made a strong statement highlighting the importance of standing by the medical community.
He said,
“Society wouldn’t forget us if we don’t take care of our doctors. The first profession that protects human life is the doctor….this country wouldn’t forget us if we don’t stand by doctors and take care of them.”
The case began when a woman approached the Bombay High Court after being denied compensation following the death of her husband. Her husband, a doctor, had reportedly been directed by the State authorities to keep his dispensary open during the pandemic.
Later, the Supreme Court took up the matter and allowed other petitioners to join, acknowledging that the issue affects families of medical workers across the country.
While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court made it clear that it would not deal with individual compensation claims. Instead, it will issue general guidelines to help decide such claims in a fair and uniform manner.
The Bench told the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati to submit the necessary data and details of other similar government welfare schemes that might exist alongside the Pradhan Mantri insurance scheme.
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The Court said,
“Give the data to us and some information about other parallel schemes that are available apart from the present Pradhan Mantri scheme. We will lay down some principles.”
Through these remarks, the Supreme Court once again highlighted the nation’s moral responsibility towards doctors and healthcare workers who risked their lives during the pandemic.
The Court’s observations underline that the contributions and sacrifices of the medical fraternity must never be forgotten and that their families deserve timely support and justice.
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