No stone should be left unturned in probing deaths

| JUNE 23, 2021, 12:36 AM IST

The State government's argument before the Bombay High Court at Goa that instituting a judicial probe into the oxygen-related deaths at Goa Medical College and Hospital would be unfair on the frontline workers is only a discreet and shrewd attempt to run away from scrutiny.

Replying to a petition from the South Goa Advocates Association that a judicial commission should be appointed and responsibility fixed for the lapses which led to deaths, the State government has told the court that subjecting doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and officers to such a probe would be 'highly unjust' after they have worked tirelessly during the pandemic. It has argued that the move 'would have a demoralising effect on the entire healthcare workforce'. The government has also contended that an internal probe is already being constituted comprising experts and officers.

The fact of the matter is that there was never a case made out against the healthcare workers and doctors. There has been not even a figment of doubt that the responsibility of these deaths rested on the healthcare workers. The life support and solidarity extended by doctors, nurses and others at the hospitals is testimony to the fact that all of them waged a relentless battle against the virus, putting their lives on the line, with the sole aim of saving those in peril.

Images of doctors and nurses breaking down emotionally as helpless situations unfolded and dead bodies piled only highlighted the humane side of frontline warriors treating patients as their own families. Hundreds of people died at GMC during the 'dark hours' gasping for oxygen with levels dropping dangerously low. The horror of these deaths has to be probed independently, and the guilty must be brought to book.

It cannot be construed that questioning doctors on the deeper intricacies of the events that unfolded during the ‘dark hours’ are demoralising because the healthcare workers are not the accused here. Moreover, this case is about precious human lives and cannot proceed based on emotional sentiments.

If the government was so concerned about the morale of an overstretched healthcare workforce, it has to look within. There is nothing significant done to keep the morale of the Covid warriors high, except for a symbolic petal shower in 2020. It’s a shame that the much-hyped 20 per cent increment in salary promised in April 2020 when the virus had just struck has not been given till now. On the contrary, the fatigued workforce is made to work double shifts on a stretch, some undergoing an endless ordeal.

The probe would not only clear any cloud of suspicion raised by those out to play the blame game but will also end up exposing those who are hiding under a veil of deceit. The Covid pain may have eased off for now and the oxygen crisis somewhat resolved, but the deaths of people due to oxygen starvation have scarred the minds of common citizens. A judicial probe is needed to get to the bottom of a crime of this magnitude.

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