Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray said that the state needs dedicated permanent infectious disease hospitals for treatment. The Chief Minister said this while addressing at the inauguration ceremony of 366-bedded Dedicated COVID Health Centres (DCHC) in Mira Bhayandar through video conference. He said that these COVID Care Centres which are setting up in grounds and establishments to with the current pandemic are temporary.
He said facilities to fight the Covid-19 outbreak in an immediate situation were being set up at grounds and halls are temporary, while the need of the moment was a permanent facility for treatment of and research into infectious diseases.
In his 15 minutes speech, he boosts the morale of the police personnel also. He said, “Doctors are doing commendable jobs. However, jobs of the police personnel are not less than that. With healthcare employees, many cops also had lost their lives in the line of duty.”
About DCHC
There are 206 beds with oxygen facilities in Late Pramod Mahajan Hall at Indralok, Bhayandar (East). On the ground floor, there are 58 beds with four ICU beds. In which, two ventilators are attached. There are 74 oxygen beds on the first and second floors each. At the Late Meenatai Thackeray Auditorium, there are 165 beds with two ventilators in three ICU beds. On the first floor, there are 84 oxygen beds available while 81 oxygen beds are set up on the second floor of the establishment. A total of 366 such beds have been setups at two Dedicated COVID Health Centres. For which, the state government has sanctioned Rs. 15 crores to MHADA.
Medical teams and healthcare staff will be available 24×7 at both the DCHCs. Significantly, a pathology lab has also been set up for various tests here. The foods will be provided free of cost to the patients. There are separate toilets and bathrooms for the patients. However, the DCHCs have been planned while putting monsoon into consideration.
Private Hospitals loot will stop now: Sarnaik
Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Hospital is the only government hospital in Mira Bhayandar. “There are shortages of beds for patients. Therefore, patients go to private hospitals for treatment. However, many patients were cheated by private hospitals. These hospitals overcharged them. Though GR has been issued by the state government and capped the treatment charges but of no uses. Because Municipal Corporation is not taking any serious action on them,” said Pratap Sarnaik, Shiv Sena’s legislator from Ovala-Majiwada.
Continuously, Sarnaik has followed up the authority and make sure that the administration should take concrete steps for the DCHCs. “With today’s development, patients and their relatives will get some relief,” said Sarnaik.
Sarnaik, thanks to CM after the e-inauguration and informed about the 13 thousand square meters of space reserved for the hospital at the reservation number 302. However, Sarnaik requested the CM to take possession of the land and start work for the government hospital in Mira Bhayandar. Giving his nod for the same, the Chief Minister said, “The state government has prioritized the issue of healthcare. You suggest a place, and it will get approved from our side after formalities. We are determined to build permanent infectious disease hospitals.”
On the Occasion, Thane District Guardian Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad, Mayor Jyotsna Hasnale, Member of Parliament Rajan Vichare, MLA Pratap Sarnaik, MLA Mira-Bhayandar Geeta B Jain, MLA Ravindra Chavan, MLA Ravindra Phatak and Commissioner MBMC Dr Vijay Rathod along with Municipal Corporation office bearers, corporators were present at the inaugural function.