40 leprosy patients admitted to Jumbo Covid facility in COEP
Renuka Suryavanshi ——————————————————————————
It was a matter of great concern to the leprosy patients from Pune, who were tested positive recently. Pune Municipal Corporation had a difficult time to arrange a facility for them but a quick decision to allot them 40 beds at the COEP’s Jumbo covid facility earned appreciation to the civic body.
Rubal Agarwal, additional commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation and CEO, Jumbo covid facility, informed that 40 beds have been reserved for leprosy patients. At present, 21 patients have been admitted in the facility.
Agarwal explained, “Four patients were suspected to be Covid19 positive for whom the tests were scheduled. Upon conducting their regular tests our staff came across that the facility of health check up at the Bandorwala leprosy hospital is lacking. Our ambulance reached the spot and took the patients to the nearby covid center. Check ups such as X ray, blood test, oxygen level, etc were not possible at their hospital. Also, since many had no Aadhar card with them, it became difficult for them to admit in any facility. They returned without any medication and consultation. It was Dr Dipti Bachchaw, head of the Kondhwa Covid Center who informed me of the plight of these patients. And the same night they were admitted to a jumbo facility.”
Jumbo Covid’s facility’s medical chief, Dr Shreyansh Kapale informed that as soon as we were informed about the leprosy patients’s ordeal and as per the information given by Rubal Agarwal, we admitted them in the facility.
PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar immediately asked the hospital authorities to conduct the tests of four patients. Also, those in contact with these four patients were also tested for Covid19. Kondhwa Ward office assistant commissioner Tanaji Narale completed the further formalities. A total of 128 people from Bandorwala hospital have been tested for Covid19, out of which 21 tested positive.
