Private hospitals outside Mumbai can’t give jabs here: I S Chahal

MUMBAI:

BMC

chief

I S Chahal

, in fresh orders issued on Monday, barred

private hospitals

located outside Mumbai to hold vaccination camps in the city. In case of an adverse event following immunization (AEFI), Chahal said, it would be difficult to shift the beneficiary to the hospital. “The patient may be gasping for breath till he reaches the hospital, which should not happen,” he added.

The order also stated that BMC, state and

private vaccination centres

cannot have any political party hoardings,

banners

and posters on the premises. This directive comes in the wake of several politicians organising vaccination camps and even facilitating the same for large housing societies.

The vaccination drive must not be politicised, Chahal said, therefore showcause notice will be served to errant private centre asking why their permission to give the jab should not be cancelled. “Earlier, ward level officers had been directed to pull down such banners at vaccination centres, but now we will ensure that a showcause notice is issued as well,” he said.

Monday’s order also stated that the memorandum of understanding signed between a private vaccination centre and any workplace or housing society should have details like number of medical staff stationed at the vaccination site and ambulances in case of AEFI. Earlier, BMC’s detailed guidelines issued in the first week of May had also stated that private centres must have an anaphylaxis kit for management of AEFI and a basic life support ambulance for shifting beneficiaries, if required. —Richa Pinto


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