Mumbai: Uddhav asks BMC to stock up on medicines to tackle third wave

Mumbai: Days after the state government announced Level-5 unlock, CM Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday, asked the BMC to check on the stock of essential medicines and equipment to tackle the third Covid wave.
He also said that there should be adequate quantity available in rural areas. Uddhav, who chaired a meeting of the Task Force, headed by Dr Sanjay Oak, said that non-compliance of Covid norms and overcrowding will be an invitation for the third wave.
Thackeray made his observations after the Task Force made a slew of suggestions, including the need to conduct state-wide CERO surveys, complete vaccinations on large scale and strict adherence to lockdown restrictions.
“If there is overcrowding then the state could face a third wave in two months,’’ said Thackeray.
He noted that 42 crore vaccine doses are expected by August-September. “During the first wave, the state lacked facilities but they are now being ramped up. The second wave taught us a lot. The second wave is now receding and we have to focus on the necessary medicines, health facilities, beds, oxygen availability,’’ said CM.
CM reviewed the present status and the need for medicines, masks, PPE kits, RT-PCR kits, their procurement and necessary funds for the same to combat the third wave.