Madras HC seeks accurate data of Covid cases – Times of India

CHENNAI: Some families of covid-19 victims are denied the state compensation due to the current policy on declaration of such deaths, said Madras high court, emphasising the need for accurate reporting of covid-19 deaths.
“It is necessary that an appropriate study be conducted by a specialised team, if necessary. It would also be fit and proper to require death certificates already issued to be revised, if necessary; if only not to deny the relief due to the family of the deceased in terms of the several schemes announced by the central and the state governments,” said the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on Friday.
Accurate reporting or recording of deaths would help in studies being undertaken to deal with a pandemic of this nature in future, it added.
“Without attempting to go into the specialised domain of doctors and persons trained in such regard, it is elementary that the major ailment suffered by a person may result ultimately in the heart being attacked and the death due to such attack. However, the cause of the death in such a case may not be appropriately attributed to just a heart-attack, but the underlying reason for the heart being attacked ought to be regarded as the real cause,” the bench said.
So, has it to be done in case of deaths triggered by covid-19, even if the person suffered from co-morbidities? the judges asked.
The court passed the order on a plea moved by H A Shrirajalakshmi seeking direction to the state government to frame and implement an effective policy to ensure that cause of death is properly and correctly mentioned in the relevant certificate/official document for all cases of Covid-19 related deaths in accordance with law.
Directing the state to place a preliminary response in a fortnight, the bench adjourned the hearing to June 28.