Only 70 of 3,000 private hospitals in Telangana register for vax drive

HYDERABAD: Telangana is likely to miss out on its vaccination target planned through private hospitals due to a lukewarm response, even as health experts call for a massive drive to vaccinate all beneficiaries before a possible third wave.
Only around 70 private hospitals of 3,000 Aarogyasri network across the state have sent their vaccine vial requirement to the state government.

The new central guidelines say that 25% of total vaccination in any state must happen in the private sector and state governments should facilitate this mechanism.
About 10 days ago, the Telangana health department asked private hospitals to enlist and manufacturers are also insisting that the mid-sized hospitals’ route it through the government.
“Around 70 hospitals have sent their proposals till now, the state government has sent the guidelines for conducting the vaccination drive for the hospitals, the state government is also coming up with new guidelines on vial distribution and conducting drive again,” Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (THANA) president Dr Kishan Rao said.
Vial requirements of around 10-100 days were sent till now by those who came forward. At present, around 80 big private hospitals in the state, mostly in Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Ranga Reddy districts are conducting vaccination drive by procuring vaccines directly from manufacturers.
“If 25% of the vaccine drive must happen in private hospitals, at least 250 private centres have to be operational,” said a top official.
‘Confusion over guidelines’
There is confusion regarding guidelines, and anticipating a huge vaccine shortage is the reason for many private hospitals not coming forward for the vaccination drive,” the official said.
“Some hospitals may be looking at profit angles but most hospitals are ready to carry out the drive, but if the first dose drive has to pick up pace, there is need for a push in vaccination drive,” a private hospital owner from Khammam said.
Another said the whole process eats into their business hours and has its own problems, which private hospitals want to avoid.