The work performed by Maharashtra's BEST, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has been recognized by the World Health Organization and this another recognition has been added one more feather in the hat.
As per reports, BEST's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anil Kumar Singal, has been invited by the World Health Organization to be an external expert consultant for the COVID Free Campaign. This campaign was launched jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO), G20 leader country, European Commission, FIND, and Melinda & Bill Gate Foundation.
Dr. Singal will be at the event on June 28, 2021, and officials are planning to discuss the access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) under the campaign.
BEST has been serving the citizens even during the tough times, keeping up the promise made in the motto of uninterrupted Tradition with efficient service. While all other modes of transport services were closed during the lockdown, employees from BEST were running services across all parts of Mumbai and MMR, including areas like Palghar, Asangaon, Badlapur and Panvel, which helped the staff working in the essential services.
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Moreover, the staff from BEST did not panic during the pandemic and provided the best support possible. Moreover, power supply to the new COVID centres was made available and supply was restored for COVID hospitals and other departments during the period, making BEST as one of the main life lines during COVID-19 lockdown.
The department had also taken necessary measures to help the employees stay safe from the virus. For those who came in contact, were given compensatory leave as well. Several awareness programs were initiated to inform employees about the virus and the steps to be taken to remain safe. Personal Protective Equipment such as sanitizers, masks, hand gloves were given to the employees. Furthermore, medical examination of 25,000 staff members was conducted and immediate antigen tests were carried out across the bus depot for more than 18,000 employees to immediately diagnose COVID-19.
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Under a specially planned campaign, the department communicated with the COVID-19 infected a staff twice a day, over a call, to understand their well-being. This was performed to ensure they are safe and healthy.
Data revealed by the department reveals that so far, 80 per cent of the employees have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than 60 per cent of the employees have been fully vaccinated. Though the city of Mumbai was severely affected due to COVID-19, only 2900 BEST employees were affected in the first wave of the pandemic. The number dropped to 565 employees in the second wave.
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