No irregularity in RT-PCR kits' purchase: Maha health minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday dismissed as "baseless" BJP leer Baban Lonikar's allegation that irregularities h taken place in purchase of RT-PCR kits in state.

Talking to reporters, Tope said se kits have been purchased through collectors in state.

If any irregularity happens in purchasing RT-PCR kits, respective department conducts an inquiry. He (Lonikar) should have kwn facts before making baseless allegations,Tope ded.Lonikar h demanded a probe into "defective" RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) kits which he claimed were being used in state.Responding to a query, minister said government- run hospitals have eugh stock of remdesivir injections for treating COVID-19 patients.

"We are providing free injections to COVID-19 patients," Tope said.

When asked about timeline for availability of COVID-19 vaccine in state, minister said government was prepared for mass vaccination. state government has provided data of health staff and frontline workers to Union health ministry,he said.

Currently, we have 6,500 ice-lined refrigerators available for storing vaccines. We have demanded more such refrigerators from Centre,he said.