Covid-19: Fourth wave worry stalls BMC plan on jumbo centres

NESCO Jumbo Centre in Goregaon is among the four that were shut on February 28. File pic

A week on, the BMC is still awaiting the State COVID-19 Task Force's suggestion on dismantling jumbo centres. The civic body has already shut four centres and was set to dismantle them, but the process was put on hold following a recent IIT Kanpur study that predicted a fourth COVID wave in the country in June-July.

While members of the Task Force have differing views on the issue, some doctors said the BMC should think it through. A few doctors are also of the opinion that three-four jumbo centres will be enough to cater to the city in case of a fourth wave.

The BMC had, after the third wave receded, decided to shut and dismantle 4 jumbo centres - Richardson and Cruddas in Mulund, Dahisar Jumbo Centre, Crompton and Greaves in Kanjurmarg, and NESCO Jumbo Centre in Goregaon - as these were lying vacant since February 25. The centres were finally shut on February 28.

However, following the IIT Kanpur study, it put on hold the dismantling work till March-end and sought opinion from the Task Force.

A Task Force member and infectious disease expert Dr Om Shrivastav said, "It is too early for an opinion on the fourth wave. I feel that the BMC has to be cautious while deciding on dismantling the centres, especially because countries like China and Korea are witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Mumbai, being a metropolis, has a number of international travellers, so we need to be cautious. However, it is the BMC that will have to decide on shutting the centres."

Dr Ajit Desai, cardiologist and Task Force member, said, "We can keep two or three centres running and shut the others. Even if cases go up, the remaining centres will be able to handle the load."

"We are not likely to have a serious fourth wave unless there is a new variant. So, the BMC can shut down a few centres. Even if cases increase, we will have the remaining jumbo centres as well as tertiary and peripheral hospitals," said Dr Avinash Supe, chief of the death review committee.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said, "We sought an opinion from the Task Force but haven't received a response yet. Though we don't have patients right now and there is a financial burden, we still need to be cautious before taking such major decisions. As of now, the four jumbo centres will be on stand-by till March-end and will be dismantled in a phase-wise manner."

The civic body is spending a hefty amount on rent and maintenance of the jumbo centres.

As per BMC officials, current monthly expenses stand at R4-4.5 crore for the Mulund centre, around R3.4 crore for Dahisar, and R6.4 crore each for Kanjurmarg and NESCO centres.

According to a health department report, there are only 421 active COVID-19 patients in Mumbai currently and only 237 of the 28,702 beds are occupied.