The State Government has ordered an inquiry into the Mankhurd Mentally Deficient Children’s Home after 30 people tested positive for COVID-19 from the institution. It is said that 24 of these are mentally challenged adults, while 6 are children, all of whom stay at the home.
Minister for Social Justice & Special Assistance, Dhananjay Munde has mentioned that those responsible for this negligence will be dealt with appropriately. Speaking to TOI, Munde said that the inquiry will be held by the Commissioner for Persons With Disability.
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A medical camp was held at the Mankhurd Mentally Deficient Children’s Home on Sunday. A total of 54 swabs were tested, out of which 30 returned positive for the coronavirus. It is said that two of those patients had tuberculosis and hence have been admitted to the civic-run Sion Hospital. The remaining 28 of the patients were shifted to the jumbo COVID-19 health center at BKC, it is said.
The report also mentions that 44 of the home’s staff have so far been tested for the virus, while others will be tested too. Other homes on the campus were also tested on Monday and Tuesday with 264 residents being tested for the virus while the results are awaited.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has raised this matter with the State Human Rights Commission while Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale has also asked for a probe on the matter. Somaiya added that several staff members at the home have not been paid their salaries for a period of four months. Meanwhile, State Minister Dhananjay Munde has asked the BJP not to politicize the matter adding that the staff would be paid by the end of the week.
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