21 October,2022 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon
Workers engaged by local ward office tear down the external structure
The civic administration apparently showed unusual alacrity in demolishing the BKC jumbo Covid centre to facilitate a Dussehra rally, a purely political event. While the dismantling of the 2,428-bed facility that also had a vaccination centre began in August, the abrupt demolition of the entire external structure on the second day of this month surprised the staff. Health experts said it won't be easy to erect a similar facility in a short time.
The facility at BKC jabbed over 5 lakh citizens between January 16, 2021, and September 30, 2022. Amid the raging Covid pandemic, it had treated over 29,000 patients. Highly placed sources, who did not wish to be identified, said, "Over 2,200 cots and beds, 200-plus bedside monitors, 200 ventilators, 100-plus BiPAP machines, etc., and large quantities of medical consumables were hurriedly shifted from the BKC centre, after it was decided to shut down the centre permanently, since July end."
They said the centre's stock of 400-450 vaccine doses was handed over to the H/E ward. BKC centre's state-of-the-art laboratory, which was set up in a container under corporate social responsibility or CSR, received no response from any of the civic-run medical colleges. It was finally taken back by the company that had sponsored it.
A doctor, who was attached to the BKC centre, said, "The vendors were dismantling the whole set-up in a planned manner, but the H/E ward demolition team arrived at the site on October 2 and demolished the external structure to make way for the Dussehra rally. The tin sheet and steel frames were damaged to such an extent that they cannot be reused. I can vouch that a Covid centre like this won't be an easy task to recreate in a month's time."
Also Read: Mumbai: Closure of jumbo centres amid global Covid-19 surge is worrying, say health experts
Ranjit Dhakane, deputy municipal commissioner (Zone 3), said, "There was cost involved in keeping the Covid care centre existing at BKC, and minimal vaccination work was happening and some laboratory testing was only happening. Admissions had almost come to an end since May 2022, and we had to clear the same and hand over the land back to MMRDA."
A former health official said, "The existing facilities of state and civic corporations are capable enough to handle any initial surge in numbers... Moreover, if at all the Jumbo care centres need to be set up, the same can be done, in less than a month's time." He said the oxygen supply, which was a major issue during the second wave, has now been taken care of. About the concerns of experts over a surge during winter, he said, "The cases being reported are mild and do not need hospital admission. Only those cases, with underlying health issues, need hospital care, not otherwise."
With new Omicron sub-variants being reported globally, what is your preparedness for any surge in Covid numbers during winter?
We have no serious cases of Covid-19 at present. However, we are closely monitoring the situation and alerts from the state health authorities and are prepared to handle any situation swiftly.
Dr Sanjeev Kumar, BMC's addl. commissioner, western suburbs and public health
BKC Covid centre was also a vaccine centre, do you feel that shutting it down would have any impact on handling any future surge?
No, I do not think so. We have a facility at the jumbo centre in Somaiya hospital ground and Kasturba hospital, which can cater to any surge in numbers. Also, SevenHills hospital has sufficient beds, other than our four civic-run medical colleges, which are also available. Moreover, we have an adequate supply of required consumables including oxygen setups.
Your advice to the public, with dengue, malaria and conjunctivitis on the rise?
Due to last week's unseasonal rain, there has been a rise in cases of dengue in Mumbai, which will settle soon. As per data available with us, there are nearly 2 million drums in the city, which are used for storing water, and are also a breeding ground for mosquitoes. We [BMC] have come up with its mobile application âMumbai against dengue' and have listed 18 spots [flower pots, drums, rear side of refrigerator trays, etc.] which should be cleaned regularly. If it doesn't rain in the coming days, I am sure, the number of dengue cases will drastically come down."
