Plea to Repatriate 55 Stranded Pregnant Women

A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court to bring back 56 pregnant healthcare workers stranded in foreign countries. The petition has been moved by United Nurses Association, which is one of the largest nurses association with 3.8 lakhs nurses and is working as a trade union.

The Association, which represents interest of registered nurses, have plead to bring them back with highest priority as all of them are in serious distress and are in need of immediate medical and socio-psycho help. This comes after India initiated the Vande Bharat Mission, the biggest repatriation mission to bring back stranded citizens in foreign countries due to national lockdown amid COVID-19. The mission was carried out from 7th May to 13th May, to bring back 14,800 citizens from 12 different countries.

The petition submitted by Advocate SubhashChandran, stated that even after the first phase of the repatriation mission, a large number of citizens, including pregnant women are still stranded, who are in need of medical help.

The Order released by the Ministry of Home affairs has given a priority to following case-

• Persons with medical emergencies, which includes pregnant women and old persons
• Migrant workers, who have been laid off
• Compelling cases in distress
• Short term visa holders, whose visa expired
• Students and persons who have suffered death in the family

The petitioner has contended that 56 pregnant women are stranded in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and are in dire need of help as they are exposed to hazards like long working hours, stigma, distress, pathogen exposure, physical and psychological suffering etc., which has put them at the risk of infection.

The Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia has announced second phase of the Vande Bharat Mission, from 19th May to 23rd May. And therefore, the petitioner has asked for strict implementation of the Order issued by the MHA and to give priority to the pregnant health care workers.