Mumbai: Former mayor delays vaccination drive by over two hours

Beneficiaries waiting outside V N Desai Hospital. Pic/Shadab Khan

Healthcare workers, eagerly awaiting their vaccine jab at Santa Cruz's VN Desai Hospital, had to wait till nearly 1 pm for the life-saving shot. And no, not because of any tech glitches, but a typical Indian one: a delayed politician.

The beneficiaries registered with the hospital had arrived at 9.30 am, after receiving calls late in the night or early in the morning, but had to wait in the sun for three hours before the drive actually kicked in.

While the hospital didn't say anything, a source, not wishing to be named, said that they had been waiting for former mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar's arrival to inaugurate the drive. Mahadeshwar said, "This was the second centre in the H east ward, and as the CM himself was inaugurating the drive at BKC COVID-19 centre in the same ward, I was present there. After finishing that, I immediately came here."

The delay caused a 50 per cent reduction in the number of those who could have been given the shots. Of the 200 who were to be administered the vaccine, only 100 received the shots. Medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Prashant More, said, "We will be vaccinating everyone who comes to us and, as we started late, we are also ready to keep it open for a longer time if needed."