Nagpur: Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari on Wednesday said Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will inaugurate 200-bed Paediatric Covid Hospital in third week of July.
The first-of-its-kind project in Vidarbha, the hospital being developed in RTMNU’s new administrative building will also have dedicated oxygen plant to ensure no shortage in projected third wave.Tiwari said in a press conference, “NMC has completed civil works.
Due to the initiative of leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis, National Cancer Institute (NCI) has procured all machinery related to paediatric Covid patients and will start supplying it to NMC for installation soon.
It is part of the arrangements for projected third wave.”NMC deputy municipal commissioner Milind Meshram told TOI, “NCI also supplied machinery related to pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant and related works have started at the hospital.
Therefore, there will be no issue of oxygen supply.
NCI is procuring equipment worth over Rs7 crore, of which it has already handed over material costing Rs1.56 crore to NMC.”TOI was the first to report about proposed Paediatric Covid Hospital on June 3.Meshram added, “Hospital will have 12 paediatricians, 24 MBBS doctors, 200 nurses, seven oxygen operators, one medical superintendent, three pharmacists, 72 ward boys and other staff.
We have requested NCI to bear the cost of manpower if possible.
Along with other civil works, NMC will lay oxygen line costing around Rs1 crore,” he said.Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B and additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi had proposed the project when they came to know about new administrative building of RTMNU.The hospital has been developed on first, second and third floor with 20-bed NICU and some of the 148 oxygenated beds on first floor, 32-bed PICU on second floor with some oxygenated beds, and remaining beds on third floor.
Departments for 0-5-year-old children, 5-10 and 10-15 year old kids will be separate.
Radiology centre, pathology and pharmacy will be facilitated.Tiwari also said, “LCD will be provided for entertainment of children in all departments, with paintings on wall and play equipment.
Some 50 beds will be provided for parents too.”Tiwari said, “We plan to start Mother Milk Bank for children hit due to the pandemic and others at NMC Pachpaoli Hospital and procure 1,000 jumbo cylinders before projected third wave.
To mark 75th Independence Year, 75 Vande Mataram Health Posts are being developed, of which few will be started on August 15.
Target is to increase testing to 15,000 per day as against existing 5,000 per day.”He added, “I completed six months as mayor and always avoided political statements.
Only motive is to end the pandemic together.
But I want to say we would not be able to face the public if Union minister Nitin Gadkari had not resolved the oxygen issues of the district and various initiatives were not taken by Fadnavis during the second wave.
Therefore, we are leaving no stone unturned for projected third wave.”Tiwari said, “Some 45% eligible people have taken the first dose in the city.
We are equipped to give doses to all eligible population as soon as possible.
The state government should ensure sufficient supply.
I have proposed to procure doses and ensure 100% vaccination of the city.
But the government did not allow.”Tiwari announced 31 projects and claimed all will be completed in his remaining tenure.Asked whether projects like beautification of 75 squares, gardens etc are important in pandemic, Tiwari said, “Majority of projects do not require funds from NMC as legislators, NGOs and corporates will fund them.
Some projects are proposed to mark 75th Independence Year.
People do not know about contribution of some freedom fighters of the city.
Next generation should come to know about the role of martyrs, Param Veer Chakra winners etc.
Therefore, these projects are being planned without affecting preparations for pandemic.”BOXOther Projects* Vande Mataram garden in 1 lakh sq ft open space and PU land of Maharashtra State Textile Corporation layout in front of Empress Mall* Smart City SPV to appoint agency to collect and reuse e-waste* 75 oxygen zones with 250-1,000 trees at each zone* Beautification of 75 squares with public participation* Padma Bhushan Dr Vijay Bhatkar Modern Science Centre at abandoned NMC school at Garoba Maidan* Mathematical garden and skating rink in 20,000 sq ft land at Birsa Nagar, Dighori* Rs3.5 crore for rain water harvesting* Sickle Cell Day Care and Research Centre in association with Mahatme Eye Bank and Eye Hospital* Atal Bihari Vajpayee e-library at Geetanjali Square* Installation of name plates at houses of freedom fighters
Pediatric Covid Hospital to start on the 3rd week of July
