Covid-19: Thane activists, politicians seek clarity over treatment protocol

THANE: The Covid numbers in the city continued to climb as 373 new cases and 16 deaths reported on Sunday, taking the tally to 10,731 and toll to 383 till date.
Meanwhile, activists and politicians have sought clarity on the treatment protocol and system followed by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for Covid patients alleging the administration to be hiding crucial information including info on the location of patients and even billing information, treatment module followed by hospitals.
"The implementation of the Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana seems not to be done totally till now. There are reports that despite state diktat, several patients have been asked to cough up deposit money and private hospitals also admit limited patients under these schemes. I have sought information on the same," said BJP corporator Manohar Dumbre while fellow corporator and party colleague Narayan Pawar sought information on the real-time location of patients.
Sandeep Pachange of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) complained about the absence of a standard treatment protocol. "Private hospitals were charging arbitrary fees which must stop. Had also raised the question about the same in past," he said.
Meanwhile, the corporation assured it is in the process of forming a panel of auditors to scrutinise the bills levied by private hospitals. “Four teams, comprising two auditors each, will be formed that will audit the 15 corona hospitals in the city,” informed a civic official.