COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up multiple challenges across all quarters of human existence. That notwithstanding, it has failed to diminish the fighting spirit of mankind whenever it has come face-to-face with such unprecedented threats. And, it is here that society has seen and applauded real-time warriors who have not only withstood but also overcome these onslaughts with great courage and grit … all for the good of the common man in society! The so-called “CORONA WARRIORS” or “Health Workers” are the latest addition in this elite list of difference-makers. Asian Law College (ALC), Noida salutes these “CORONA WARRIORS” and stands in full unison with our Supreme Court’s applause for health workers in COVID battle!
To quote the Supreme Court – in its suo moto case “In Re: Distribution of Essential Supplies and Services During Pandemic” – it said, “We would wish to use this order to place on record our sincerest appreciation for all the public healthcare professionals – not just limited to the doctors, but also nurses, hospital staff, ambulance drivers, sanitation workers and crematorium workers.”
The Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L. Nageswara Rao and and S. Ravindra Bhat, speaking as grateful citizens of the country, went on to “commend the outstanding work of our all healthcare professionals” during the crisis.
The above mentioned Bench made these observations in the recent order passed in the suo moto case “In Re Distribution of Essential Supplies and Services during Pandemic”.
The Order further records, “They have truly gone beyond their call of duty and toiled day in and day out, relentlessly without rest amidst great challenges. It is absolutely necessary to take urgent steps for their well-being to ensure that our appreciation for their tremendous efforts is not reduced to rhetoric“.
Observing that this commendation was important as “collective public memory” of any event was created by the rhetoric surround the same, it further stated:
“As such, our public memory of this public event has to transcend its conception as a ‘war’ against the virus of COVID-19 itself, but rather to remember that it is ‘the complex epidemiological circumstances that promote these outbreaks and the under-resourced health systems that are tasked with disease containment“.
The Supreme Court then acknowledged that while the healthcare professional have been at the forefront of tackling this crisis, it is imperative to recognize their contribution as medical healthcare professionals who have undertaken to protect public health and serve the community at large, and not just as “CORONA WARRIORS”.
The Supreme Court Order then goes on to point out that the treatment meted out to these public healthcare professionals during the pandemic has sometimes been less than ideal, and then highlights a few of such unfortunate issues.
Noting that such issues are only symptomatic of the other broader issues that are being faced by healthcare professionals who are instrumental in combating the pandemic, the Court recorded that they hope their welfare is seriously considered by the Central and State Governments.
All said, this Supreme Court’s applause for health workers in COVID battle calls for unflinching support from all who constitute our so-called human society!