Mumbai: BMC says patients are stealing fitments from COVID centres

Some items have been found damaged at the Nesco centre

While the state struggles to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 cases as well as provide the best facilities to those undergoing quarantine at various centres, a new problem has cropped up for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body has allegedly found patients stealing lights, bulbs, jet sprays, geysers and flush tanks from the Nesco COVID centre in Goregaon. The exasperated BMC also tweeted about it on Sunday.

Speaking to mid-day, a BMC official said, "This is the worst situation we have faced till date in the city, even though employees are working all day at the centre. We are trying to provide all the facilities including hot water and proper food on time, but patients are stealing whatever they can lay their hands on, like tube lights and bulbs. They are also trying to steal geysers and jet sprays from the centre. Some of them have even been damaged."

Deputy PRO Tanaji Kamble said, "Many patients are stealing lights and other goods from the centre. We also found some geysers and jet sprays damaged. New ones have been ordered to replace them, so that other patients don't suffer. Plumbers and electricians have been appointed on contractual basis to deal with the issues. We have also increased security at the centre."

Currently, the NESCO COVID centre houses 1,455 patients in two separate halls. There are about 100-200 patients in each ward. Civic sources said that two new 7.5 hp pumps had been installed to increase water supply. The water tanks at the centre have a capacity of 3.5 lakh litres and they are continuously monitored. About 4-10 tankers are called in case more water is needed.

1,455
No. of patients the Nesco centre currently houses