04 May,2021 04:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Somita Pal
A young man gets vaccinated at BKC vaccination centre. Pic/Shadab Khan
As the vaccination drive sputters ahead amid shortages, there is mega confusion over vaccines to be sourced by BMC and private hospitals, leaving citizens in the lurch. While Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani told mid-day on Monday that private hospitals can buy vaccines from manufacturers and give them at pre-decided rates, private hospitals say there is no such written order or clarity, and that manufacturers have told them that government orders remain their priority.
Many hospitals have been asked by manufacturers to take the government's help for vaccine stock. Pic/Shadab Khan
The shortage of vaccines has created unease between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and private hospitals, with the former having asked the latter to fend for themselves. The corporation had earlier promised to provide the stock for private hospitals.
While most private hospitals were forced to stop the drive for those aged 45 and above May 1 onwards as stocks finished, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital (HNRFH) was the only one to vaccinate 476 people on that day. The BMC says that they purchased the stock on their own. On May 3, the hospital vaccinated over 700 people. From May 4, Sir HNRFH and Nanavati Hospital are starting the vaccination for the 18+ category. "Private hospitals have to buy their own stock from companies and continue the vaccination," Kakani said.
Dr Gautam Bhansali, chief coordinator of private hospitals for vaccination and COVID in Mumbai, said, "Three days ago, we were informed by the BMC that they will provide us with the vaccines. We were told that since the stock is not there, there will be no vaccination drive. We have not received any further communication on the same." Around 76 private hospitals have permission in Mumbai to give the vaccination. Plans were to ramp up the number to 101.
In response to an email, the SII told a private hospital that it has to fulfil the govt's vaccine requirements first
Joy Chakraborty, chief operating officer, Hinduja hospital, said, "We are eagerly waiting to receive the vaccines from the government or from the company. So far, we don't have any vaccines in hand. We exhausted our stock on April 30."
Amid the shortage, some hospitals are questioning how Sir HNRFH procured the vaccine stock. "Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre had been conducting the inoculation drive against COVID-19 until April 30. We are awaiting supplies post which we will resume the vaccination drive in full swing," said Jitendra Haryan, CEO, Jaslok hospital. While Sir HNRFH refused to comment on their vaccination drive, Mangla Dembi, senior vice president and operations head at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, said, "We will resume the vaccination drive for the 45 and above category and for the 18-44 yeard group from May 4. Only registered individuals will get the vaccine. The stock of Covidshield is centrally procured by Max Healthcare group which is currently managing the Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital."
Small private hospitals say if they are forced to buy stock from companies directly, they may not be able to start vaccination for a long time.
"Before April 30, we were one of the hospitals doing maximum vaccinations. We sent an email to the companies and were told it is a challenge for them to meet our demands right now as they are busy meeting the demands of the government," said Dr Prince Surana, CEO, Surana Group of hospitals. Dr Surana added that in a communication from a vaccine company, they were told that it would take them five-six months to provide vaccines for private hospitals and that they should instead take the government's help. "This will be a huge setback to the vaccination drive in Mumbai. Only big players will afford to get the stock. The idea of vaccinating the maximum public will get affected," Dr Surana said.
101
No. of pvt hospitals officials wanted in the vaccination drive, instead of current 76
