COVID-19: A STUDY OF ITS IMPACT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MEDICO- LEGAL RIGHTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS
Abstract
The Research topic under the captioned title is of essence. The Epidemic in the form of Covid-19 escaping from Chinese Laboratory in Vuyan engulfed most parts of the globe. The Medical Experts consider among others the older people vulnerable to the virus. The Covid-19 virus has proved itself to survive in all the temperatures casing doubt to natural emergence on one side and obligation of China as a State under International Law responsible for Un-natural use of Lab & Resources in germinating the virus, its escape causing loss of life irrespective of territorial areas and/or race or religion. The Expert opinion world over is consensus on threat to senior citizens, in the process, curtailing their freedom by confining them within four walls of residential enclosures. Not only the right to freedom and other rights of Senior citizens is under challenge but even right to medical care and due cremation in case of death is on denial mode. In Socio-Theological Society like India these rights are indispensable. The senior citizens have Constitutional protection generally among others in Articles 21 of the Constitution of India read specifically with other Article 41 of the constitution requires the state to give public assistance to elderly people. Besides, the statutory protection in State Legislations like Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens, Act 2007. The Covid-19 has put senior citizens to risk and aggravated their health hazards including the right to live. The Country responsible seems unconcerned, behaving like rouge, while the country of residence has no cure known for the epidemic. Senior citizen is on test to survive or suffer even in presence of national laws and global conventions/declarations. Accordingly, the Research topic is deliberated by adopting doctrinal methodology and using both the primary and secondary source of data for analysis and in arriving at conclusions and suggestions.
