Report by law panel suggests plan to tackle epidemics
- The 286th Law Commission Report recommended creation of an Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to address future epidemics
Key Highlights
- It underlines that there is no clear demarcation between the powers of the Centre, state, and local authorities during an epidemic
- Which leads to uncoordinated responses.
- Highlighting the limitations of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (EDA), the 286th Law Commission Report states
- The management, control and prevention of epidemic diseases cannot be restricted to a century-old law.
- The report notes that the EDA was not designed to combat modern issues with the spread of infectious diseases.
- It states, can result in infectious diseases rapidly turning into epidemics or pandemics.
- After the Covid-19 pandemic, the Law Commission suo moto decided to extensively examine the existing legal framework
- To tackle what it calls “significant deficiencies in addressing the containment and management of future epidemics in the country”.
- The report claims that as a colonial-era legislation, the EDA has great potential for abuse.
- The most dramatic change suggested is the creation of an Epidemic Plan and a Standard Operating Procedure to address the spread of infectious diseases.
- This, the report states, would make sure the powers and obligations of different levels of government are clearly demarcated
- So that there is a coordinated response to any public health emergency.
- The report recommends that the EDA must include provisions to ensure that the Epidemic Plan is prepared, enforced, and revised at regular intervals.
- The report states that the plan should include provisions on quarantine, isolation, and lockdowns
- While ensuring that the measures are implemented fairly, without violating the fundamental rights of citizens.
- It should also contain provisions on
- Privacy-friendly disease surveillance
- Regulating the distribution
- Availability and transport of medical supplies
- Proper dissemination of information to the public
- Medical testing and research for vaccinations and medicines
- The safe disposal of infectious waste among a variety of other subjects.
- The report suggests the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which will “ensure proper and coordinated response to any epidemic with pre-defined powers.
Prelims Takeaway
- Epidemic
- Epidemic Diseases Act