[COVID-19] Testing, tracing and vaccinating mentally ill persons should be of utmost priority: Supreme Court to Central government

The Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the Central government to take the condition of patients in mental health care institutions "more seriously" amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and stated that testing, tracing and vaccinating those suffering from mental illness needs to be taken up on priority..The Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah passed an order to this effect while hearing a plea seeking the rehabilitation of over 8,000 mentally ill persons who have recovered but are still languishing in asylums and hospitals..Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan informed the Bench that due to COVID-19, a meeting of all States to discuss the discrepancies in data on the number of patients who are cured and the ones who still need treatment, could not be called since last year.She further stated that a virtual meeting of all States would be held on July 12..The Court in its order today directed that issues of testing, tracing and vaccinating those suffering from mental illness needs to be taken up on priority. It stated,"It's time the Union takes this case seriously. We direct Chief Secretaries of all states that a status report be filed before this Court at least a week before the listing...onset of COVID-19 has affected mental illness both in terms of medical care and treatment. The issue of testing, tracing and vaccinating those suffering from mental illness to be taken up on priority. Persons in mental health institutions need to be protected against the onset of the pandemic...".Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, Amicus Curiae in the case, stressed on the need to vaccinate all inmates of mental health institutions. He stated that Maharashtra was transferring such inmates from mental health institutions to beggar homes. .The Court took strong objection to this and ordered that such practices need to be stopped forthwith."It is informed that Maharashtra is transferring patients from mental health establishments to beggar homes/custodial institutions. Any such transfer will be counterproductive and against the letter and spirit of the Mental Healthcare Act. Counsel for Maharashtra to seek instructions and if such practice is continuing, has to be stopped forthwith. All states before the July 12 meeting to ensure that discrepancies in data are resolved and furnish the report regarding the establishment of halfway homes," the top court went on to state in its order. .The matter will now be taken up on July 27. The Court also clarified that the case will be listed every three weeks to track its progress. .[Read a detailed account of today's hearing]