The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday urged Centre and States for universal coverage and non-discriminatory pricing of Covid vaccines. The NHRC also said that if feasible vaccination can be made free.
The Commission also asked Governments to put their acts together in order to meet the immediacy of response by setting up universally functional Covid-19 dashboards for real time information in public domain on the availability of hospital beds, oxygen, critical care medicines and devices. It has also asked for setting up 24X7 functional toll-free help lines and fixing the prices of Covid treatment resources.
“There should be universal coverage and non-discriminatory pricing of Covid vaccines in all health facilities of the country, and if feasible, vaccination should be made free for everyone irrespective of private or public health establishment along with adequate testing facilities for Covid-19 and timely reports,” said NHRC in its communication to Centre and States.
The Commission reiterated the Centre and States to adhere to its seven page advisory issued on May 4 regarding availability of hospital infrastructure including oxygen and medicines, real time information through dashboards, affordability, accessibility and pricing of treatments etc. The Human Rights Commission also urged the Centre and States on improved management of crematoriums and burial grounds, usage of electric crematorium and App based interventions to be promoted.
“The protection of Rights of Covid warriors engaged should be ensured and the body of a deceased Covid patient should betreated with dignity and handed over to the family ensuring all Covid protocols,” said the NHRC.