HC asks govt to act against harassment on health workers

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 16, 2020

The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state authorities to take action against undue harassment faced by health workers.

“If any case of undue harassment is reported, the designated authorities shall take immediate action in accordance with law,” the bench comprising Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order passed on Thursday.  

While hearing a PIL, the bench has taken note of the letter from the Director of NEIGRIHMS to the Commissioner & Secretary about the plight faced by the health workers especially of NEIGRIHMS and the harassment being faced by them in their local communities.

The letter details that there are cases wherein these workers are being told not to come out of their homes, being instructed not to come home from duty, being told not to go to work, apart from other unreasonable instructions being placed upon them and their families.

The bench stated that these health workers, doctors and all other persons engaged in such health institutions are essential and crucial for the society as a whole adding “their services in these trying times is all the more essential and the services rendered by them so far, is highly commendable.”

It said the local communities, local durbars and youth organizations, who are working hand in hand with the state authorities in combating this epidemic, should therefore, extend all their support and assistance, in ensuring that there are no instances of harassment, stigmatization or ostracization, or any unreasonable restrictions being placed upon these health workers.

“It is expected that there should be no cases of harassment and these health workers be free to attend to their duties, without fear for themselves or their families.”

The bench has also directed the state authorities to ensure that adequate awareness be imparted on this aspect to the local communities so that such instances do not occur.

As per a status report, the state government has constituted the ‘Behavioural Change Management Committee’ at the village/locality and community level with the endeavour and objective of bringing about behavioural change in each and every individual in these days of Covid-19.

“It is also therefore expected that this area of concern, i.e. the treatment meted out to the health workers in their local communities, be also addressed positively by this management committee at the micro level,” the bench said.