Mumbai: Currently, it is showing a downward trend in the Covid-19 graph; the state reported fewer than 800 cases on Sunday and registered a meager fatality rate over 19 months. The state added 707 points and seven deaths on Sunday. Last year the state had last reported seven deaths on April 17. The state’s entire case rose to 66.38 lakh, and fatalities touched 141170. The city added 207 points and one end. Vaccination centers aiming to reach maximum people and proper tracking of Covid cases could further increase covid chances and their variant.
Covid-19 death rates: With the Omicron threat increasing, districts were asked to ensure and follow the implementation of Covid norms. According to Dr. Hemant Deshmukh, dean of KEM Hospital said that the hospital admissions due to Covid have remained consistent. He says now the number has reduced; “We have been seeing admissions in single digits for a while now.”
Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani said Mumbai hospitals are in a state of alert and preparedness. Kalyan- Dombivli has started activating all jumbo facilities, with several international travel returnees testing positive.
Unable to pay Vendor bills; Concerned about the anticipated third wave
The state has not cleared pending vendor bills worth crores of rupees for the rendered services during the second wave. Several districts are now worried about scaling up preparations for the anticipated third wave, with agencies asking for the first payment.
It was found that power bills, money for food given to patients, and salaries of human resources hired at temporary Covid centers are pending. In some districts, payments for installing PSA plants to generate medical oxygen and liquid medical oxygen plants used for storage have not been cleared.
The bills run from lakhs to multiple crores. State officials did not reveal the total sum they owed to vendors. It is found that small districts like Satara have bills of over Rs 4 crore pending. Official get many Vendor calls; the money hasn’t been cleared for food served to patients. Dues for medicines have not been cleared yet.
If they scale up overnight due to a third wave, few would be willing to extend a helping hand again. As per the research, more than 300-400 healthcare workers, from doctors and nurses to boys hired during the second wave, have not been paid. Some have not got salaries for July and August.
From State government official: There are multiple budgetary heads from which district collectors can clear bills related to Covid 19. Officials have allowed collectors to use funds from the state disaster response fund, district development fund, funds under the National Health Mission. But funds under these heads are stretched.
It is found that the state has sanctioned Rs550 crore from the state disaster response fund for Covid related purchases or services. The fund, which is now under Rs700 crore, will be exhausted the Rs 50,000 ex gratia to be paid to the families of Covid-19 victims. The state requires Rs 800 crore to fulfill the scheme. As per the research, not all districts have used the funds judiciously, and they cannot start auditing infrastructure set up or personnel hired as everyone was told to prepare adequately. Dr. Shyamsundar Nikam, the civil surgeon of Amravati, said his district also had pending dues from the research. “If a third wave is there, vendors cannot refuse our services,” he said.
He said most districts are waiting for money from NHM as district planning and development committee funds can only be used for procurement and not payments.
This news was curated by Prittle Prattle News with the help of information provided by PTI.
