Healthcare workers, cops underpaid, says Madras high court, bats for a raise

CHENNAI: Doctors, health workers and police are working day and night throughout the year but are not paid adequately, said the Madras high court on Friday.
Their work and services are essential for maintaining good health and law and order in society, a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice R Hemalatha said, expressing hope that respective governments would appreciate their services with a proper increase in their salaries.
“This court hails and appreciates the round-the-clock service rendered by doctors, health workers, sanitary workers and police in the fight against the dangerous pandemic, which is threatening the entire humanity,” the judges said.
“This court is also concerned with the health condition of the doctors, health workers, sanitary workers and police as they are the forefront warriors in the fight against Covid-19. Therefore, they should be given sufficient break, which, according to the state, is being given.” The health professionals and police personnel should also be safeguarded against the viral attack, the bench said, adding, “they should be subjected to regular testing by the authorities.
The court made the observation on a public interest writ petition filed by an advocate seeking direction to the state government to ensure medical assistance for all Covid-19 affected patients free of cost. The petition said the government had not made available sufficient number of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) to doctors and health workers.
Denying the allegation, additional advocate-general P H Arvindh Pandian submitted that about 37,648 PPEs, 1.17 lakh N-95 masks and 7.75lakh three-layered masks were available with the state. About 14,000 testing kits are also available as on date, he added.
As to the allegation of the petitioner that though about 45,000 people, including 100 doctors and 3,500 paramedical staff had registered for voluntary service but their services were not being utilised, Pandian said in case of necessity the administration would always call upon them for rendering services. Recording the submissions, the bench adjourned the plea by two weeks.