Mumbai: Amid Covid surge, BMC makes masks mandatory in hospitals from Tuesday

Amid a surge in Covid19 cases the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Tuesday held a review meeting under the chairmanship of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal The meeting as a precautionary measure said all senior citizens above 60 years of age should wear masks It also made masks mandatory for all employees patients and visitors in municipal hospitalsThe commissioner reviewed all aspects of Covid preparedness including Covid tests Ward War Rooms availability of oxygen and medicines and Covid preparedness in private hospitals a BMC press release saidldquoThe infectious disease of Covid19 virus has once again on rise in various states of the country and the number of patients has also increased in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation area in the past few days According to the Union Ministry of Health there is a possibility of an increase in the number of Covid patients in the month of May Owing to this all the hospitals of BMC as well as all the private hospitals should also be equipped for the treatment of Covid appealed Chahal saidldquoAlthough it is not mandatory particularly senior citizens above 60 years of age should wear masks as a precautionary measure while walking in crowded places Also it will be mandatory for all the employees patients and visitors to wear masks in all BMC hospitalsrdquo he saidChahal stated that as per the Government of Indias Health Departments prediction of an increase in the number of Covid patients it is advised to the entire health system to stay prepared to deal with increasing Covid cases ldquoAlthough not mandatory some guidelines are to be issued as a precautionary measure According to the medical prediction the number of patients exposed to Covid infection is expected to increase in the coming month of May Therefore while stating that it is necessary to keep hospital beds ready at BMC as well as private hospitals he has also given various instructionsrdquoAlso readCovid19 surge Maharashtra holds mock drills in staterun hospitalsThe instructions given by Municipal Commissioner arePurchase of Medicines etc The Central Purchase Department should review the availability of gloves masks PPE kits as well as the stock of medicines and other medical equipment required by all the hospitals of BMC and commence the purchasing process if required It should be ensured that there will be no shortage of any medical requirementCovid Tests Early detection of Covid patients can prevent the spread of infection Owing to this the number of Covid tests should be increased to result in easy treatment While increasing the number of tests Additional Commissioner Dr Sanjiv Kumar should hold a meeting of private medical laboratory operators as soon as possibleMedical Oxygen ndash As the number of Covid patients increases the need for intensive care may also increase Considering this it is important for all the hospitals to examine and audit their medical oxygen plants to ensure that they are functioning well and there is a balance between the demand and supply of oxygen at any given point of timeWard War Rooms ndash All Ward War Rooms which have played a vital role in patient management during previous waves of Covid should be urgently reviewed to ensure that they are functional with all the necessary manpower and machinery to deal with any situation The responsibility of the Ward War Room will be important in providing an immediate response to citizens during the Covid spikeIt is important to note that Covid awareness is crucial in reducing the number of Covid patients Owing to this public awareness should be emphasizedWith the increasing number of Covid patients senior citizens above 60 years of age are more at risk Therefore it is recommended that all senior citizens above 60 years of age in the BMC area as well as citizens with comorbidities should consistently use masks for safety Although wearing a mask is not mandatory it is important to take precautions Masks should be used in public and crowded places A advisory in this regard will be issued by the health department at the earliestConsidering public contact all employees of the BMC should also use masks even if its not mandatory Visitors to municipal offices should also be politely requested to wear masksGiving utmost priority to safety masks are being made mandatory for all employees patients and visitors in all BMC hospitals A notice in this regard will be issued by the health department immediatelyMunicipal hospitals and private hospitals in Mumbai should conduct mock drills as part of Covid preparedness in accordance with Government of Indiarsquos guidelinesAll private hospitals in Mumbai should equip their entire system for the treatment of Covid patients considering the increasing number of patients and ensure that there is no shortagePatients undergoing surgery should be tested for Covid in all hospitals If such a patient is found to be infected with Covid and the surgery is not an emergency then the surgery should be postponedKeeping in view the Covidinfected as well as asymptomatic patients Health Department should reissue guidelines regarding home isolation of Covid19 patientsIt should be ensured that medicines and related medical equipment are available at HinduHrudayamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhanas HBT Clinics The Assistant Commissioners of the concerned ward should also review stock of medicines and availability of manpower in HBT ClinicsPremonsoon works like desilting road repairs etc should be completed before the onset of the monsoon For this all the concerned Joint Commissioners Deputy Commissioners Assistant Commissioners Heads of Departments should review the work and ensure its timely implementationCoordination officers should be appointed at the ward office level for the organization of Matrashakti Mahila Melava through the Department of Women and Child WelfareThe Additional Municipal Commissioner Projects and Deputy Commissioner Infrastructure should regularly review premonsoon works including the concretization of roadsThe Additional Municipal Commissioner City should review the appointment of Shwachhtadoots and the construction of new public toilets