Friends, few days back I have written about the flip flops of Maharashtra Govt and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Instead of improving in their performance, these people are still continuing with flip flops and creating a confusion in Mumbaikars’ mind. It has come to such a stage that BMC is now known as Brihanmumbai Municipal Confusion. Just to give few examples- few days back they announced that they have taken over the two stadiums (Brabourne & Wankhede) in South Mumbai, which will be converted into Covid facility of quarantine centres. Immediately there were protests from the residents of the areas surrounding these stadiums. The area is very posh, and all high end Mumbaikars stay there. So yesterday, there was twitter war between two leaders of Shiv Sena, who is part of ruling coalition of Maharashtra and Shiv Sena is also controlling BMC, regarding the takeover of these stadiums. In the end t has so happened that BMC has rescinded its earlier order of take over. What was the reason given for taking back the order- that with approaching monsoon it will be very difficult to handle if the ground becomes muddy due to rains. As if they were not knowing five days back , when the takeover order was issued, that rains will be coming in next 2/3 weeks.
Second order by BMC’s was that they have taken over all the beds in ICUs and 80% of beds in the wards of all the private hospitals in Mumbai, for Covid infected patients. Now administrators and doctors attached to these private hospitals are unhappy with this move and say that care for non Covid patients might suffer as a result. Now the million dollar question is- IS IT OK FOR A PATIENT TO DIE OF ANY OTHER ILLNESS? As per doctors acute heart attack had a 50 to 80% mortality rate while Covid patients have much less mortality rate. So if the govt takes over all the ICUs beds, what happens to the patients who suffers heart attack, stroke or other illness. For the records, before the onset of Covid Mumbai, on average used to record around 300 deaths per day. No doubt Covid poses a huge public health crisis, there are patients with other serious ailments who also need intensive care. BMC/govt instead of using these two months of lockdown to expand their capacity, they have unilaterally taken over the ICUs and 80% of beds in private hospitals, endangering the lives of non Covid patients. The main problem is Nursing homes and small private hospitals pay lakhs of Rs in rent, now if the BMC takes over beds/ICU on subsidised rates then how will the hospitals will pay the rents, staff salaries and other overheads.
Next item, which left me so confused that I am wondering whether the people who are running the health department of Govt and BMC are capable or fools of the first order. Knowing that the state and Mumbai city is under the big threat of Covid pandemic, Doctors and other medical staff are in the forefront in fighting the pandemic and they are the first one who can be affected by this virus, and when in some places they do not even have proper Personal Protective equipments (PPE). It was really sad to read in the media that some of the govt medical staff have not received their salary for the month of April. Now tell me how they are suppose to take their of their families, first thing they are away from their families for the most of the times, along with these medical staff their families are also under threat of contacting corona virus and secondly instead of getting some appreciation or any other monetary benefits, they are not getting their salaries in time. On top of this Govt/BMC has announced the salary cuts ranging from 40 to 50% for the medical staff. Now various unions of Doctors body has not taken this lightly, and have said that ‘ we are on the frontline of the battle against this pandemic and on the other hand we are getting lesser pay, this is unacceptable.
Another point of dispute has arose, which is regarding the off duty days after doing continuous duty for 8 days. Govt/BMC is giving them only 2 days off to recover from strenuous duty which require them to be on their toes for 24 hours. Doctors body is saying that 2 days are insufficient for recovery and they need at least 6 days to recover. Another problem doctors are facing is that they are not been communicated clearly about the special insurance, which govt had earlier said that all medical staff will be covered for Rs 50 lakhs, but doctors are not sure what is the criteria for this medical insurance , whether they are qualifying for the same or not.
In my opinion, Maharashtra govt/BMC has really let down the medical staff, who are forefront in fighting the pandemic, the successive govts in Maharashtra have never listened to the grievances of the doctors working in Govt/BMC controlled hospitals, about their working conditions, stipends, salaries, resident quarters etc. I do not remember this issue is going on for how many decades. I hope better sense prevails, and all the issues are resolved immediately, and the medical services during this pandemic will not suffer.
My salute to all the medical staff of govt/BMC run hospitals, who in despite of such a pathetic working conditions and low pay are still fighting with this pandemic, as a true soldiers of medical fraternity.
What you say my friends.
Waiting for your comments/views/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th May 2020.
R. N. Mungale.
I join Mr. Malik in saluting medical staff.