WORST-HIT STATE TO WAIT TILL MAY END

Those opting to take the shots in private hospitals would have to pay for the vaccines; however, these would be provided for free at government hospitals, he clarified. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the state government, despite suffering a revenue shortfall, had decided to provide free vaccines as the health of the people was its highest priority. Tope said the CM was in talks with the makers of Sputnik V and the government would procure it if it is available at fair rates. Other vaccines such as Zydus and Johnson&Johnson would be available in August and September.

Meanwhile, Tope welcomed the SII move to reduce the Covishield vaccine price to Rs 300 per dose from the earlier Rs 400. “This will go a long way in supporting the people and saving many lives in these challenging times of the pandemic,” he noted. Advocate Farhan Ansari, who resides at Zahur Chawl behind the hospital said, “It was around 3.30am, I was standing by the window. It was time for sehri and I was waiting when I saw smoke and heard the screams of women. Along with others in our building, I immediately rushed out and we ran to the back of the hospital. However, we found the back window was closed and covered with a grille. With a rod, we bent the grille, broke the glass and rescued the patients,” Ansari said.

Mohsin Khan, another participant in the rescue operations, said, “Patients who were on the front side were rescued. Those in the intensive care unit were stuck as this area was located in the back. The entire room was filled with smoke. As soon as we broke the glass of the back window, smoke came out. Patients who were already on the ventilator were suffocating and eventually died. Had we been a little late in coming to the rescue, more people would have died.” Local residents Navid Shaikh, Alkama Khan, Affan Dole, Sar faraz Darbari and others were also among the rescuers.

Fire, as usual; 4 die

RDMC chief Santosh Kadam, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), said, “All 20 patients, including six from the ICU were rescued successfully. However, four of these patients succumbed af ter being shif ted to another private hospital.”

The 20 patients included seven on the first floor – three in the male ward and four in the female ward, six patients in the ICU, two women and four men, two male patients in twin sharing rooms and one in the general ward among others.

Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Thane Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma, also visited the site. “The fire began at the meter box, and the fumes spread into the hospital. The four patients who died were rescued but they had suffered smoke inhalation. They were reported dead af ter being shif ted to another hospital. The patients were shif ted to Bilal and Kalsekar hospitals. We have asked for a structural, fire as well as oxygen audit of the hospital and will take action against the negligence that killed four people. The state government had announced Rs 5 lakh to the each of the families of the dead and Rs 1 lakh to the injured, An additional 5 lakh will be given to the kin of those who died from the Thane Municipal Corporation, and 1 lakh to those were injured will also be given,” said Shinde.

Girish Zalke, Chief Fire Officer, TMC, said, “The fire started from the meter box of the hospital and later spread on the upper side. We had sent a notice to the hospital for a fire audit, but received no response.” T Mishra, fire officer, Mumbra Fire Brigade, said the hospital did not have fire compliance measures in place. However, sources from the fire department alleged the hospital had been seeking permission for the last five years but had been turned down by officials. Earlier, the hospital was known as Lifeline Hospital, then as Saboo Siddique Hospital and now, Prime Criticare Hospital. Attempts to reach the hospital’s Public Relations Officer Ismail Khan were unsuccessful. Senior Police Inspector Madhukar Kad of Mumbra police station said, “We have sought a report from the fire brigade and the corporation. Those found negligent will be booked.”

‘ Was about to move father to hospital’

It was 2pm by the time the bodies were handed over to the respective families. Felt hopeful when locals began to break window from outside, says survivor.

Sayed Rehan, 50, an insurance adviser, was admitted in the general ward of the hospital. “I was suffering from pneumonia and had breathing problems. I was accompanied by my son who went to get sehri for roza. As soon as the fire started and there was smoke everywhere, I went to the door but found it locked. The room was filled completely smoke. I did not know what to do. But I felt hopeful when locals began to break the window. I could hear the noise, but it was a half hour before we were rescued. They broke the window pane and pulled off the grille and got us out. I went blank for a while and was shif ted to Bilal Hospital,” said Rehan, who had put down a Rs 20,000-deposit on Tuesday night and was scared that the money would be taken away by the hospital.