The COVID-19 Pandemic and its Medicolegal Aspects in the Indian Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jiafm.2023.45.3.20Keywords:
COVID-19, Novel coronavirus, Law, Quarantine, InfectionAbstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease caused by a novel coronavirus. The disease has crossed international boundaries and is affecting a large number of people. The present coronavirus outbreak started in China in December 2019 and rapidly spread to other countries. It has involved almost 205 countries around the world and has been declared a pandemic by WHO in March 2020. Human coronaviruses have different strains and these strains cause a severe degree of infection leading to higher mortality in the community. In the time of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the priority of every healthcare professional was to provide treatment to the affected and suspected person. With no vaccine and insufficient treatment in sight as of now, it is concluded that it is a combined duty of healthcare personnel and citizens across the globe, that correct measures of screening, quarantining, and social distancing are maintained. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of relevant medicolegal issues to avoid future litigations in the court of law. The governments can also work in tandem with the medico-legal experts for improving existing policies and drafting new ones wherever required, so as to be better prepared for any future pandemics.
Downloads
References
Yang Y, Peng F, Wang R, et al.: The deadly coronaviruses: The 2003 SARS pandemic and the 2020 novel coronavirus
ISSN : 0971 - 0973, e - ISSN : 0974 - 0848
epidemic in China. J Autoimmun. 2020, 3:102434. 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102434
What is a pandemic? [Internet]. World Health Organization. (2010). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://www.who.int/csr/ disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/pandemic/ en/.
Coronavirus [Internet]. WHO. (2022). Accessed: 08 June 2022: https://covid19.who.int/.
Greenberg SB: Update on human rhinovirus and coronavirus infections. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2016, 37:555-571. 10.1055/s-0036-1584797
Coronavirus [Internet]. World Health Organization. (2020). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://www.who.int/health topics/coronavirus.
Consensus document on the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) [Internet]. World Health Organization. (2003). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https:// apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/70863.
Maier J, Bickerton E, Britton P: Coronaviruses. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press. 2015. https://link.springer.com/book /10.1007/978-1-4939-2438-7.
M. Malik, Elkholy AA, Khan W, et al.: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: current knowledge and future considerations. Eastern Mediterranean Health J. 22. 2016:533-542.
The Indian Penal Code [Internet]. Indiacode.nic.in. (1860). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://indiacode.nic.in /bitstream/123456789/4219/1/THE-INDIAN-PENAL CODE-1860.pdf.
News at Nine. [internet] News Service Division, All India Radio.(2020). Accessed: 30 May 2022: Available from : http://newsonair.com/Text-Bulletin-Details.aspx.
The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 [Internet]. Dot.gov.in. [cited 30 May. (2022). Accessed: 30 May 2022:Available from : https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Indian%20Telegr aph%20Act%201885 .pdf.
C-DOT and Telecom Service Providers develop COVID Quarantine Alert System [Internet]. Newsonair.com. (2020). Accessed: 30 May 2022: Available from : http:// newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx.
The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. Legislative Department. Ministry of Law and Justice, GOI [Internet]. Legislative.gov.in.. (2022). Accessed: 30 May 2022: Available from : http://legislative.gov.in/actsofparliam entfromtheyear/ epidemic-diseases-act-1897.
The Live-Stock Importation Act, 1898. [Internet] Indiacode.nic.in. (2022). Accessed: 30 May 2022: Available from : https://indiacode.nic.in/bitst ream/123456789/2330/1/a 1898-09.pdf.
The Indian Ports Act, 1908 [Internet]. Legislative.gov.in.
(2020). Accessed: 30 May 2022: Available from : http://legislative.gov.in /sites/default/ files/A1908-15.pdf.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 [Internet]. Naco.gov.in. (1940). Accessed: 30 May 2022: http://naco.gov.in /sites/default/files/Drug%20%26%20Cosmetic%20Act% 201940_1.pdf.
The Aircraft (Public health) Rules, 1954 [Internet]. Ihrpoe.co.in.(1954). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://www.ihrpoe.co.in/pdf/rules/IA%20Rules1954.pdf.
The Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968 [Internet]. Indiankanoon.org. (1968). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/902835/.
Swendiman K, Jones N: The 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak: Selected Legal Issues [Internet]. Biotech. law.lsu.edu. 2009.
Public Health (International Health). Director General of Health Services: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI [Internet]. dghs.gov.in. 2020.
The National Security Act, 1980. (1980). Accessed: 30 May 2022: http://home.karnataka.gov.in/en/Documents/ National-Security-Act-1980.pdf.
National disaster management guidelines. National Disaster Management Authority [Internet]. Ndma.gov.in. (2008). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://ndma.gov.in/images/ guidelines/biological_disasters.pdf.
Public Health (Prevention, Control and Management of Epidemics, Bio-terrorism and Disasters) Bill, 2017. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI [Internet]. Prsindia.org. (2017). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://www.prsindia.org/ uploads/media/draft/Draft%20PHPCM%20of%20
Epidemics
The Constitution of India, 1949 [Internet]. . (2022). Accessed: 30 May 2022: https://www.india.gov.in /sites/upload_files/npi/files/coi_part_full.pdf.
