COVID-19: BMC to operate 50 mobile dispensaries in suburbs in Mumbai

city civic body will operate 50 mobile dispensaries in rrn suburbs of Mumbai, which have emerged as new COVID-19 hotspots, under an initiative launched on Monday that is aimed at curbing spread of infection in metropolis and bring cases to zero.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched Mission Zero rapid action plan under its "Chase Virus' drive. Under programme, that covers Borivali, Dahisar, Malad, Kandivali, Bhandup and Mulund suburbs of rth Mumbai, BMC will run 50 mobile dispensary vans which will go to different localities to conduct preliminary check-ups for 2 to 3 weeks to identify and treat COVID-19 patients.

At a function organised at Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex in suburban Andheri, BMC commissioner I S Chahal along with or dignitaries launched "Mission Zero" rapid action plan that will be implemented under public-private partnership with Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana, Desh Apnayen, CREDAI-MCHI and Bill Gates Foundation.

"Under 'Mission Zero' rapid action plan, 50 mobile dispensary vans with doctors and medicines will visit Mulund, Bhandup, Andheri, Malad, Borivali, Dahisar and Kandivali to conduct preliminary examination of patients," BMC said in a release.

private organisations associated with plan are going to provide vans, doctors and medicines, while civic body will take care of swab testing and quarantine facilities, among or things, it said.

BMC said it aims to increase current aver case doubling rate of 36 days to 50 days. However, in certain parts of city like Malad (P/rth Ward), Borivali (R/Central Ward), Dahisar (R/rth Ward), Kandivali (R/South Ward), Bhandup (S Ward) and Mulund (T Ward), duration of doubling rate was between 19 to 24 days as on June 21.

Hence, it has been decided to implement a rapid action plan to bring down number of positive cases in city to zero, said civic body which is spearheading Mumbai's response to coronavirus pandemic.

" rapid action plan will boost efforts already in place. With onset of monsoon, plan is particularly critical for timely detection and treatment of patients with coronavirus and or ailments," release stated.

civic body said after checking by mobile dispensaries, all COVID-19 suspects will be immediately isolated and swab tests conducted in area y reside in.

"This will lead to early detection and timely treatment of those infected, and at same time, public awareness will also be created to empower citizens with correct information regarding virus," BMC said. Till June 21, Mumbai had recorded more than 66,000 COVID-19 cases.

(Photo Credit: PTI)