News Analysis India

Tag: Maharashtra Health Minister

  • Case registered against BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar for using derogatory language against Maharashtra Minister Rajesh Tope

    By PTI

    JALNA: A case was registered against BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar for allegedly using derogatory language against Maharashtra Health Minister and NCP leader Rajesh Tope during a protest here, police said on Sunday.

    Lonikar had staged a demonstration at the Jalna district collectorate on Thursday alleging unequal distribution of District Planning Committee Development funds.

    He alleged that compensation for flood-affected farmers in his constituency, Partur, was also not released.

    Tope is the guardian minister of the Jalna district.

    Local leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party had lodged complaints against Lonikar at various police stations.

    On a similar complaint lodged by NCP activist Shivprasad Changle in Ambad police station in Jalna, a case was registered against Lonikar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for insulting and hurting sentiments, police said in a release.

  • COVID-19 restrictions extended by 15 days, new guidelines on June 1: Maharashtra Minister Rajesh Tope

    By PTI
    PUNE: The lockdown-like restrictions in Maharashtra on account of the coronavirus pandemic have been extended by 15 days but a fresh set of guidelines will be issued on June 1, health minister Rajesh Tope said on Friday.

    The state cabinet had taken the decision to extend the curbs on people’s movement and businesses — in force since mid-April — in a meeting on Thursday.

    “As far as lockdown is concerned, 15 days’ extension has been given, but the guidelines related to it will be issued on June 1,” Tope told reporters here.

    No relaxation will be given in the areas where the number of patients and positivity rate are still high and hospital bed availability is an issue, he said.

    “But in the areas where the situation has improved, certain guidelines (easing the curbs) can beissued,” he added.

    Asked if shops selling non-essential commodities will be allowed to open, he said all such decisions will be taken on June 1.

    On Thursday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had said the restrictions will continue after June 1, and will be relaxed later in a phased manner.

    “In 10 to 15 districts, the positivity rate is still very high. Besides, there is threat of the black fungus infection (found in recovering/recovered coronavirus patients),” the chief minister had noted.

  • Inadequate info provided by vaccine marketing firms: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said marketing agencies of four vaccine firms have responded to states global tender for procuring COVID-19 shots, but information provided by them is inadequate and the government has sought more details.

    The Maharashtra government has floated a global tender to procure COVID-19 vaccines to tide over a shortage of jabs.

    Speaking to reporters here, Tope said “Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik and AstraZeneca have submitted their tenders through their marketing agencies.

    “Some companies did not fill in the rates, while some companies have not made clear what the (supply) schedule will be like. That is why they are being asked queries (on these issues).”

    Pfizer has told some states like Punjab that they won’t supply vaccines to the states but will give them to the Centre.

    On the issue of imports, the Centre has so far allowed only Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik.

    Will the Centre give permission to Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson is an issue which is under the Centre’s jurisdiction.

    Tope reiterated his demand for the Union government’s intervention to buy vaccines from the international market.

    “There should be a proper national policy on vaccine imports. I wish to make this request to (Union health minister) Harsh Vardhan,” he said.

    Responding to a question, Tope listed out varying rate details provided by some of the marketing agencies. Sputniks rates are quoted in the range of USD 10 and USD 18. Pfizer rates are quoted between USD 23 and 25. In terms of rupees, the price range is from Rs 750 to Rs 1,800,” he said.

  • Black fungus classified as notified disease in Maharashtra; state to get 60,000 vials of Amphotericin-B from June 1

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday said that the state government has classified black fungus as a notified disease.

    Addressing the media, Tope said, “There are 2,245 cases of black fungus in the state. The state government has classified black fungus as a notified disease.”

    “Under Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, patients of black fungus will receive free treatment at state-run hospitals,” the Maharashtra Health Minister further said.

    Several states and UTs have declared mucormycosis, also called black fungus, as an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act (1897).

    Tope also said that the current COVID-19 positivity rate is 12 per cent and the recovery rate is 93 per cent in the state.

    Talking about the state’s global tender for Covid-19 vaccines he said, “We haven’t received any response to the global tender for vaccine procurement. We are requesting the Central govt to float tender and provide us vaccines,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the state on Monday reported 22,122 new #COVID19 cases, 42,320 recoveries and 361 deaths in the last 24 hours. There are 3,27,580 active cases in the state. 

    Tope also said the state would get 60,000 vials of Amphotericin-B, the key drug for the treatment of mucormycosis patients, from June 1 onwards.

    There are 2,245 patients of mucormycosis, also known as the black fungus, in Maharashtra, Tope told reporters after attending a review meeting on the mucormycosis and COVID-19 cases in the state.

    Tope said the state has floated a global tender for procuring Amphotericin-B vials for the treatment of mucormycosis.

    “The state would get 60,000 vials of the medicine from June 1 onwards. It will be an additional supply apart from the current allocation of the medicine by the Centre,” he said.

    The minister said there are 2,245 patients of black fungus in the state and out of them, 1,007 are already covered under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), he said.

    “The entire cost of the treatment of mucormycosis patients under the MJPJAY will be free of cost, including the cost of the medicine. The state is also trying to cap the cost of treatment of mucormycosis patients who are admitted in private hospitals,” he said.

    Tope said the Maharashtra government has issued a GR (government resolution) regarding such treatment and the finance department has allocated Rs 30 crore for the same.

    There have been several cases of mucormycosis, a rare but serious fungal infection, among COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra and some other states.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Maharashtra lockdown to be extended by 15 days beyond April 30: Health minister Rajesh Tope

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The existing lockdown-like restrictions in Maharashtra, imposed to stem the COVID-19 spread, will be extended by 15 days beyond April 30, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.

    The strict curbs on movement of people and a host of other activities are in force in the state since April 14 and were to end on April 30.

    Essential services have been exempted from the curbs.

    Addressing media persons after a Cabinet meeting here, Tope said though the COVID-19 situation seems to have stabilised to some extent in the state, all the ministers pitched for extending the on-going curbs.

    “Today, the number (of daily cases) is 60,000-plus. There definitely is some stability. We had earlier predicted that (daily) cases may go beyond 70,000. But that has not happened. Now I hope and pray to God that this may be the peak and there will be a decline in the graph daily here on,” he said.

    ALSO READ: Maharashtra announces free vaccines for people in 18-44 age group

    The minister said if people observe COVID-appropriate behaviour by wearing masks and adhering to social distancing norms, the present situation can be brought under control.

    But one thing is sure, all the Cabinet members said in unison that the lockdown, which will be effective till April 30, be extended.

    Now, it definitely will be extended by 15 days, Tope said.

    Prohibitory orders, banning assembly of five or more people at once place, are in force, while non-essential activities are not being allowed.

    At present, vegetable shops, grocery stores and milk shops are allowed to remain open only between 7 am and 11 am, while home delivery of items is permitted till 8 pm.

    Last week, the state government further tightened the curbs by imposing restrictions on travel, attendance in offices and wedding functions.