Many who were welcomed by ‘Sunday Closed’ sign, had chosen the day as it was convenient; several had even booked advance time-slots; dean says it was closed for maintenance and BMC had been informed
Manisha and Alka Parekh were looking forward to the Sunday vaccine dose
For Alka Parekh, 59, Sunday seemed the ideal day to take the vaccine, as she is a working woman. But, when she landed at the Dahisar vaccination centre, she was deeply disappointed to find that it was closed. Many other citizens were left disappointed and some had even booked a time-slot for the day.
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Forum and Manoj Kotecha said they have to again make plans for their child next Sunday
The BMC had decided to keep all vaccination centres open on Sundays to boost the drive. But according to the dean of the Dahisar vaccination centre, it was closed due to maintenance work. Even though the BMC had been told about it still kept time-slots open and hence citizens had booked appointments.
Office goers upset
“We know that rest is needed for a day or two after vaccination, as it has some side-effects. So taking the vaccine on Sunday works best for me, as I will have to take one less holiday from work. But it turns out I have to wait for another week now,” said Parekh, who had come to the Dahisar centre with her sister-in-law Manisha Parekh, 55. Both working women were looking forward to the Sunday vaccine dose.
Bhavesh Trivedi said he was told to be there on Monday or next Sunday. Pics/Satej Shinde
Forum, 48, and Manoj Kotecha, 50, a couple from Dahisar East had booked a time-slot for afternoon on Sunday as they too work. But they were shocked to see the deserted premises with a notice on the gate – Sunday closed. “Our appointment was booked long ago, maybe a week back. If it was closed on Sunday, they should have just not showed it as available when we were booking the appointment online. We could have booked at some other vaccination centre and put our Sunday to use, instead,” said Forum, adding that they had to plan their Sunday properly to make time for the vaccine and now they will have to again make arrangements for their child next Sunday.
Bhavesh Trivedi, 47, a resident of Borivli, too had booked an appointment last week. “Now they are telling us to visit tomorrow and they will accommodate us. But there will be people who have already booked appointments for Monday. Then there will be an overlap,” said Trivedi.
‘Some miscommunication’
Dahisar vaccination centre Dean Dr Deepa Shriyam, said, “There was some miscommunication. The fact that we will not be able to keep the centre open for vaccination on Sunday was informed to BMC. Yet, the centre was shown in the list of options of vaccine centres.”
Adding that it is important for her to ensure a safe and proper medical facility for all, she added, "It was not feasible to keep the centre open for Sunday as we had some maintenance work to complete.
With the number of patients increasing constantly we had to make proper arrangements for the vaccination premises so that it will be a smooth and safe experience for citizens. The centre will be open from next Sunday. Those who were wrongly given appointments for today will be accommodated next Sunday or even during the week.”
Minor fire at Dahisar COVID Care Centre
A fire broke out at the COVID Care Centre at Dahisar on Sunday afternoon. As a fire brigade vehicle was nearby, it was doused immediately, and there was no casualty reported.
It is suspected that an electrical short-circuit caused the fire. Pic/Satej Shinde
Around 50 patients were shifted from G ward of the isolation facility to a safer location. The cause of the fire is suspected to be electrical short-circuit.
The fire broke out at around 12 pm and was doused by 12.09 pm.
“The security staff used fire extinguishers and soon fire brigade personnel used water to douse it. No one was injured. However, there was loss of part of the infrastructure,” said a fire official.
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