Vax doses in pvt hospitals going unused: Collector

Nagpur: The Covid-19 vaccine quota for private hospitals is not being consumed entirely, said district collector R Vimala during a press meet at the Nagpur Patrakar Club on Tuesday.
Out of the total supply of vaccine doses, 25% are set aside for the private hospitals where paid vaccination is carried out. However, due to “general reluctance for a paid vaccine”, the quota is not being consumed fully, the collector added.
The collector appealed that those who can afford to should go for the paid vaccine. In Nagpur district, which includes areas beyond Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC)’s limits, 58% of the population has been administered at least the first dose of vaccine. As for the second dose, around 22% of the target population has been covered. The programme is running as expected, she said.
“The area out of municipal limits comes under the district collectorate. The officers said there is no shortage of vaccines for the district,” she added.
The collector said she would be sending another proposal to the government for allowing restaurants to operate till 8pm. A similar proposal was sent earlier but was not accepted. The previous collector had also mooted a relaxation in timing norms for restaurants, said Vimala.
She further said the current Covid norms were expected to prevent large gatherings, which can happen in restaurants and wedding halls.
“There are curbs on restaurants because of the hygiene factor. For example, the washing happens in the same basin and the surface can remain wet despite all the care. This perhaps makes the restaurants more susceptible to spreading infection,” the collector added.
On a likely third wave, she said adequate preparations were in place for managing patients. “Beds will be set aside for paediatric patients. Two to three pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants are also coming up to ensure enough supply,” Vimala stated.