The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to start discussions with private hospitals to help them expand vaccinations. The civic body is facing a shortage of vaccine doses, leaving them little option but to partner with private hospitals.
The BMC was unable to conduct vaccinations on at least five days of July whereas it had to halt vaccinations completely due to a scarcity of doses. This also means that a large number of people are now waiting for their second shot, with the number only likely to increase unless the supply improves.
Read - Mumbai Local Train Services Might Soon Be Operational For Fully Vaccinated Citizens
Additional Municipal Commissioner of the BMC, Suresh Kakani said that two to three private hospitals are currently in discussions with the civic body. These hospitals have reportedly expressed interest to partner with the civic body in order to vaccinate residents of slums.
“We are still working out the modalities. We might gather information about those waiting to get vaccinated from ward offices and share it with those hospitals, or private hospitals could operate centres in the vicinity of slums,” Kakani said.
The commissioner added that although private hospitals are also facing trouble acquiring doses, they have agreed to share what they have with the civic body under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Of the 67.25 lakh vaccine doses administered in Mumbai so far, only 16 lakh have received both doses. On July 24, a large majority of vaccination centres remained closed. However, Kakani clarified that the agency has received 48,000 doses which will help resume the drive starting Monday, July 26. Vaccinations were also halted in Ratnagiri which was hit with rains and floods.
Also read - BMC: Over 35,000 COVID-19 Vaccines Administered In Two Days
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