'Next pandemic far from over': Delhi HC asks for Centre's report on sample collection policy

NEW DELHI:

Observing that the "next Covid-19 pandemic" is far from over, Delhi High Court has called for a status report from the Centre on what decision has been taken regarding the policy for sample collection, sample collection centres and sample transport.On May 28, a single judge bench of Justice Anish Dayal said that the matter assumed urgency considering reports of Covid-19 being active in the community.The bench noted that there was no update provided by the Centre regarding the result of the meeting held on May 30, 2023. It said that, at first glance, the contempt petition may not subsist considering the decision to form sub-committees. "However, considering that the next Covid pandemic is far from over and, in fact, active amongst the community today, as per news reports, the vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of 30 May 2023, is a serious issue," the court said.The matter will now be heard on July 18.The court was hearing a contempt plea filed by a doctor, Rohit Jain, alleging non-compliance by the authorities of an order passed by a division bench on Jan 27, 2023. The bench had disposed of Jain's plea on the issue while directing central govt to treat it as a representation and decide the same within 12 weeks by way of a reasoned order.According to Jain, despite the said orders, no guidelines were framed by the Centre with respect to the establishment of minimum standards for sample collection, sample collection centres and sample transport.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of the additional director general of health services on May 30, 2023, where Jain was also invited to be present, based on the judicial orders.A decision was taken to constitute four sub-committees of experts in pathology, biochemistry, haematology and microbiology. The members of the committee were to define standard operating procedure for sample collection, sample collection centres and the sample transport policy.The guidelines were to include storage standards as well, the order notes. There were other actions which were decided to be taken in the said meeting, the court noted.The court observed that though it is sanguine that steps were taken and protocols were in place, it is imperative for the authorities to place the same on record.