Covid-19 Tests Not Mandatory For Pregnant Women Going For Health Check Ups Unless They Are Suspected Of Symptoms. Finally Some Relief

If I were to do a show of hands to check the mental and physical wellness of everyone during this quarantine, it wouldn’t surprise me to find out that almost all of us wouldn’t be doing too well. With the coronavirus scare scaling through its fifth month now, we have been in an unhealthy limbo, with little to no attention being paid to our physical activities or lack thereof. And while we can still make our peace with it, the ones who’ve been largely hit with the change in the lifestyle have been pregnant women.

Health care has been severely compromised due to the pandemic and even regular visits to the doctor can be seen as a risk. More so, in many a cases, they have been denied treatment and check ups before they checked for covid-19. A process that all in all, takes a little too long causing a delay in the check up of a pregnant woman.

But seems like, the issue has finally been addressed by the Delhi High Court, as the Delhi government submitted an affidavit on Wednesday before the Delhi High Court that it is not mandatory for every pregnant woman to undergo a COVID-19 test unless she is a confirmed contact or suspected of having contracted the virus.

COVID-19 Test Not Mandatory For All Pregnant Women Before Delivery: Delhi Govt Tells Delhi HC https://t.co/Mgc20B9Kwi

— M.A.RASHID (@answeringlaw) July 15, 2020

Related

stories

Sexual Advances, Unpaid Dues, More: Roundup Of Allegations By Jennifer Mistry, Monika Bhadoriya Against 'TMKOC'

We are sorry they had to go through this.

Twitter Drops Memes On Every Desi Mom's Nightmare: The Apple Vision Pro VR Glasses!

Apple making its VR game strong!

Also Read : This Man Couldn’t Meet His Pregnant Wife Due To Covid 19 Restrictions So He Set Up A Dinner Date Outside Her Hospital Window!

The Delhi government in a statement to the Delhi High Court on July 15, Wednesday, said that it will not be mandatory for pregnant women to get tested for #COVID19 when they visit a hospital for obstetrical care. #ThursdayMotivationhttps://t.co/WVh6XHnes9

— SheThePeople (@SheThePeople) July 16, 2020

Their affidavit further suggested, and in the favour of pregnant women that, even as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines, if a pregnant woman meets the criteria for COVID-19 testing, she should be tested but obstetric management would not be delayed in order to test her. A rule that was long due in its place, for there had been too many cases of negligence towards the pregnant women during this time.

This decision came by after the Delhi High Court’s appeal to look into the matter of a PIL that was filed by advocate Nikhil Singhvi, seeking directions to prioritise the COVID-19 tests of pregnant women.  The bench, comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, upon hearing from the Delhi Government to be in agreement, said, “We see no reason to issue any further directions in the matter.”

The bench has also further asked the government to be mindful of the timelines relating to pregnant women and ensure that the entire process of testing and results for pregnant women is wrapped up within 24 hours. This shall include the testing, the sample collection and the declaration of results, to avoid further delay.  And in case she tests positive, she should be duly transferred to a hospital specialising in COVID treatment for further medical attention.

Also Read : In A Case Of Extreme Negligence, 57 Girls At A Kanpur Shelter Were Found Covid Positive, 7 Are Pregnant, And 1 Is HIV+.

Sadhika Sehgal

Know more