Thiruvananthapuram: John Brittas, Rajya Sabha MP from Kerela and TISS professor R Ramakumar, have filed an application in the Supreme Court challenging the central government's new vaccine policy wherein 25 percent of domestically produced Covid-19 vaccines are reserved for private hospitals.
The applicants contend that private hospitals have not been utilising vaccines and only 17.05 percent of the total allocation has been administered by them. According to Health Ministry's data released on June 4, 1.29 crore doses were given to private hospitals in May out of which only 22 lakhs were used, stated the applicants.
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"Higher predatory prices at private hospitals in comparison to government-run hospitals and vaccine hesitancy will continue to cause low vaccination at private healthcare institutes," read the application. Applicants alleged that 50 percent of the private vaccine quota was purchased by just nine big hospitals and the remaining were procured by 300 hospitals that won't serve beyond tier 2 cities.
"Article 38 of the constitution requires the state to secure a just social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people, minimise inequalities in facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas," read the plea. The petitioner argued that the new policy would remain 'incomplete, inequitable, inefficient and opaque' and people's fundamental rights will be violated, unless the government takes over 100 percent procurement of vaccines and allocate it under proper regulations.
The petitioner also sought intervention in the suo moto case on the supply and distribution of essential drugs and services.
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