KATHMANDU, AUGUST 13
The Supreme Court has ordered the government to provide COVID-19 vaccines at their home to senior citizens, differently-abled, visually impaired people, and those with chronic diseases.
A single bench of Justice Prakash Kumar Dhungana issued the interim order to the government in response to a writ petition filed by Prabesh KC.
The apex court directed the authorities concerned to collect data from the ward offices on those who cannot go to vaccination centres and provide vaccine doses at their doorstep.
The bench observed that in line with principles of a welfare state, Article 35 (3) of the constitution had stipulated that all citizens would have equal access to health services, whereas Article 41 guaranteed senior citizens the right to special protection and social security by the state.
The bench observed that the government should collect data from ward offices on the number of people who were unable to go to vaccination centres to get jabs and should run a programme with appropriate timeline to ensure vaccine shots for them at their homes.
Assistant Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population Samir Kumar Adhikari told THT that the government had already vaccinated elderly citizens and differently-abled people.
He said the government took special care and administered single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccines to the differently-abled people who could not go to vaccine centres.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 14 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
