Direct procurement: Private hospitals in Nagpur unsure of vaccine delivery time, minimum order norm a hurdle

NAGPUR: Though private hospitals in Nagpur welcomed the opening of Co-Win system for direct procurement of vaccines, they were not sure of the delivery of doses. In metro cities some hospitals received Covishield lot at their doorstep within 72 hours of placing orders.
Not many smaller set-ups, though keen, would still be able to be part of the vaccination drive because of minimum procurement norms. The minimum quantity that can be ordered is 6,000 doses said to be worth Rs37 lakh.
The idea of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) facilitating the vaccine procurement for such hospitals was under consideration. But it was dropped as hospitals apprehended this would cause a delay of over a month in getting the delivery.
Dr BK Murali, director of Hope and Ayushman hospitals, attempted to find a solution by forming a consortium to place a big order on behalf of all small hospitals. The effort couldn’t come through.
“The consortium is not working out as per government norms. Small hospitals may not be able to pay Rs37lakh. We had inquired if say four hospitals could place one order and then divide the doses. But it was not allowed. Every vaccination centre is seeing huge rush. People are worried and want to get vaccinated but not enough doses are available. At least 200 small hospitals are unable to procure vaccines,” said Dr Murali adding that the capping should be removed.
Dr Anup Marar, director, Orange City Hospital and Research Institute, welcomed the opening of portal and wished to get quick delivery. “After a prolonged delay, the Covid vaccine payment portal for private hospitals in Co-Win at last opened a few days back. As guided by the portal, we have duly remitted the applicable Rs630 per dose charges for the fixed procurement quantity stated there. However, we are not sure about the supply time or delivery mechanism as to whether it will be routed through state government or directly by Serum Institute of India. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” he said.