More beds in mind, BMC to renew focus on private hospitals

After a shortage of beds during the second wave, the BMC added more beds for COVID patients in the city

The recent surge in COVID cases in Mumbai has prompted the BMC to renew its focus on private hospitals across the city. Civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal on Monday asked officials to update the list of private facilities that the BMC had taken over during the first and second wave to treat COVID patients. Authorities will also check the availability and supply of oxygen in Mumbai.

Sources said Chahal met top officials to review the situation in the city amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

In April, when daily cases rose up to 10,000, there was a shortage of beds in the city. Soon after, the BMC began setting up new centres and upgrading existing ones to increase beds.

The sources said despite having more than 16,000 beds for COViD patients at SevenHills hospital and nine jumbo centres, the corporation will update the list of private hospitals as part of its preparedness. During both the waves, 80 per cent of COVID beds in private hospitals were charged as per government rates.

"Instructions were also given to ensure supply of oxygen. The commissioner also mentioned that the availability of oxygen should be more than the requirement as per the instructions of the state government," said a BMC official.

Apart from upgrading its health infrastructure, the BMC will now take more strict action against those not adhering to social distancing norms and not wearing a mask.
Additional Municipal Commissioners P Velarasu and Suresh Kakani and Joint Commissioner Ajit Kumar Kumbhar were a part of the review along with senior health department officials and superintendents of municipal hospitals and specialist doctors.

16,000
Beds available for COVID patients at BMC facilities