Combination of flawed procurement policy and corporate overreach has meant there are 10 lakh unused vaccine doses in private hands even as BMC centres run dry; now, civic body scrambles to use six lakh of those doses before they expire
Residents of Worli Koliwada at a vaccination camp organised by a private hospital in collaboration with BMC on August 2. File pic
In the past 200-odd days, there have been only eight days in the city when over one lakh beneficiaries were vaccinated daily and there were 30 days (excluding Sundays) when public centres were shut. As vaccine shortage continues to hit the vaccination drive, private centres have unutilised stock of 10 lakh doses. Now, efforts are being made by the BMC, private hospitals, private organisations and NGOs to reach the unvaccinated population through Corporate Social Responsibility before the third wave kicks in.
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While public centres were shut on Wednesday owing to the shortage, private hospitals running as vaccination centres are said to be having around 10 lakh unutilised doses as citizens are not preferring paid vaccines anymore. As such, the BMC has decided to push for CSR to vaccinate as many people as possible. To start off, around six lakh doses will be given through the initiative.
A notice board outside the Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal General Hospital in Kandivli informs about no vaccination on July 21. File pic
As procurement policies changed and finally the distribution went back to the Centre, the city and State have always complained about the inadequate stock. Private hospitals in the city have always managed to stay afloat with decent stocks.
Underprivileged left out
With private hospitals having jabbed 31.23 lakh beneficiaries out of the total 74.36 lakh, civic authorities argue that those who could afford have taken their shots but the underprivileged continue to be left out.
“It has been definitely noticed that there is a disparity between the vaccination of the high-income and middle- and low-income groups. There is a lack of clarity on how the distribution by the State is taking place due to which I cannot comment on where the problem might lie,” said Dr Rahul Pandit, member, state COVID-19 task force.
To undertake the vaccination under CSR, private hospitals have asked the BMC to provide its space and manpower and have asked NGOs and private organisations to fund the drive. Private hospitals will be procuring the vaccines from manufacturers using their 25 per cent quota.
While the BMC has existing infrastructure and networks in place, there are several private organisations that conduct CSR activities. This would benefit private hospitals as their unutilised stock will be put to use. Civic officials said this would be “a win for the underprivileged citizens” as only the Centre or private hospitals can procure the vaccines, with each having a quota of 75 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.
The chief coordinator for private hospitals and BMC, Dr Gautam Bhansali of Bombay Hospital, said, “I have spoken to the civic chief regarding the utilisation of the stock with us. Beneficiaries coming to us have reduced. We had procured this stock earlier. We are hoping to tie up with NGOs, private organisations and foundations and ask the BMC to give us their resources like space and manpower, to reach out to the unvaccinated.”
“We are looking at increasing the CSR activity and also engaging NGOs to inoculate as many citizens as possible,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani.
08
No. of days in last six months when more than 1 lakh doses were given
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