News Analysis India

Tag: Rajesh Tope

  • Amidst political storm, Maharashtra Health Minister says oxygen shortage killed none in state

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said the state government never reported any death due to shortage of oxygen during the second wave of COVID-19.

    Notably, in April this year, 22 patients died after the oxygen supply was disrupted at a Nashik hospital due to leakage in an oxygen storage plant, local officials had said. Tope had then said a thorough probe will be conducted to find out if negligence led to the leakage of oxygen at the hospital.

    ALSO READ | Opposition-ruled states claimed no death due to oxygen shortage, now doing politics: BJP 

    On Tuesday, the Union government had told the Rajya Sabha that no deaths due to lack of oxygen were specifically reported by states and UTs during the second COVID-19 wave, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders.

    When asked by a TV channel about the Centre’s statement, Tope said, “We never said people died due to oxygen shortage in the state. Many of them had issues like co-morbidities and other illnesses. No death has taken place due to the shortage of oxygen.”

    Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, whose party shares power with the NCP and Congress in Maharashtra, said people whose relatives died due to oxygen shortage should “take the Union government to court”.

    Noting that opposition-ruled states claimed in courts that there was no death due to shortage of oxygen during the second COVID-19 wave and made similar assertions in their response to the Centre, the BJP on Wednesday hit back at its rivals amid a row over the Modi government’s reply in Parliament on the matter.

    BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra noted that the central government’s reply was based on the figures provided by states and UTs as health is a state subject.

    No state sent any data about patients dying due to oxygen shortage, he asserted.

    ALSO READ | ‘Govt increased oxygen exports by about 700% during pandemic’: Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre over oxygen shortage statement 

    He said the Maharashtra government also told the Bombay High Court that no one died due to the oxygen shortage and Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo has also made similar claims.

    Shortly after the statement in the Rajya Sabha was made over the issue in a written reply by Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar on Tuesday, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal accused the minister of having “misled” the House.

    Describing the statement as “condemnable”, Venugopal, a Rajya Sabha MP to whose question the reply was given, had said he will move a privilege motion against the minister.

  • Maharashtra needs 3 crore coronavirus vaccine doses per month: Rajesh Tope 

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra needs a minimum of three crore vaccine doses per month to inoculate the entire eligible population against coronavirus at the earliest, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Monday.

    Tope said the state’s capacity is to vaccinate 15 lakh people daily, but as of now only two to three lakh people are being inoculated in a day because of the “shortage of vaccine doses”.

    “Three days ago, we got seven lakh vaccine doses. The stock will be exhausted by the end of the day (July 12). We have got more than 3.60 crore vaccine doses so far and this includes about 25 lakh doses purchased directly by the state government,” the minister said.

    Till Sunday, a total of 3,65,25,990 vaccine doses were administered in the state, as per official data.

    When asked about the paucity of vaccine doses in the state, Tope said, “We are working below our capacity. It is literally hand-to-mouth (situation).”

    He said if the vaccine doses are supplied properly, the target of vaccinating the entire eligible population can be achieved at the earliest.

    On Sunday, Maharashtra reported 8,535 new cases of coronavirus, taking the infection tally to 61,57,799, while 156 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,25,878, as per the state health department.

  • Centre should provide three crore COVID vaccine doses per month: Maharashtra legislature

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Both the houses of the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday passed unanimous resolutions asking the Centre to provide a minimum of three crore COVID-19 vaccine doses per month to the state so that a third wave of the pandemic can be avoided and economic activities revived.

    Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Health Minister Rajesh Tope, who moved the resolutions in both houses, said the state machinery can vaccinate 10 lakh people per day provided doses were available. “With this number, we can vaccinate three crore people in the next two months. Expediting vaccination drive is necessary for the economic revival as well,” he said.

    As per the resolution, the Union government has so far provided 2,84,39,060 doses and the state has purchased another 25,10,730, while 3,43,82,583 persons have received the jab in the state till now which is the highest in the country.

    Maharashtra has so far conducted 4.25 crore tests for coronavirus, of which 61 lakh came out positive while the viral infection has killed 1.23 lakh patients so far, Tope said. There are 1.23 lakh active cases, he pointed out.

    “Maharashtra is at the top in the number of infections, deaths and active cases. There are 21 cases of the ‘Delta Plus’ variant (of coronavirus) and 5,500 cases of mucormycosis (black fungus). This is a serious situation,” he said.

    The Shiv Sena’s Sunil Prabhu said the state should also consider vaccinating (on a priority basis) those from poor sections of society including the homeless people who do not have Aadhaar cards or any other identification document.

    Congress MLA and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan attacked the Centre over the high prices of doses and “profiteering”. “Who is responsible for the profiteering? No other nation has done this where people have to pay Rs 1,200 per dose. Instead of asking states and municipalities to procure vaccines, the central government should purchase vaccines through a single order for the entire nation and sell them or distribute to the states,” Chavan said.

    He added that as many as 6.5 crore vaccine doses were exported “when we should have kept them for our own people”. Speaking in the Council, Tope said that vaccinating every person was the only way forward. “If we carry out vaccination of 70 to 80 percent of people, it will help create herd immunity in the state,” the minister said.

    Economic activities have been impacted and if vaccination takes place on a large scale, the burden on the health systems will decrease which will help the government ease the existing `level 3′ restrictions, he said.

    The government has framed five levels of restrictions, the fifth level being the severest.

    Leader of Opposition in the Council Pravin Darekar (BJP) supported the resolution but also said that as Maharashtra is at the top in terms of number of vaccinated persons, the state government should be grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing the largest number of doses to the state.

  • Maharashtra government hasn’t hidden number of COVID-19 deaths: Rajesh Tope

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday asserted that the state government has not hidden the number of COVID-19 deaths.

    Talking to media persons over reports that 11,000 fatalities in the state have not been reported as COVID-19 deaths, Tope said the government was functioning in a transparent manner.

    “Every district has private and government COVID-19 hospitals. The update on coronavirus deaths in government hospitals is done regularly, while the update from private hospitals is delayed and hence there is a discrepancy in the numbers. All private hospitals have been asked to submit their list of COVID-19 deaths regularly,” he said.

    The minister said that the health department has directed the chief civil surgeon in all districts that if the death updates are not done regularly, action would be taken.

    The portal is updated by data entry operators and unfortunately, the update is sometimes not done on time, Tope added.

    When asked about the vaccination drive from June 21 for 18 years and above age group, the minister said he had urged the Centre to allocate vaccines to Maharashtra based on its population and number of COVID-19 cases.

    “The vaccine allocation policy will be announced in two days, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has told me over the phone,” he said.

    Maharashtra on Thursday reported 12,207 coronavirus positive cases and 393 fatalities, which took the state’s infection count to 58,76,087 and the death toll to 1,03,748.

  • COVID-19 treatment rates to be reduced in rural areas: Maharashtra Health Minister

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced rationalisation of the rates of COVID-19 treatment at private hospitals which is expected to give relief to patients in rural areas.

    The earlier rates, prescribed by the government during the first wave of the pandemic, were based on the rates prevalent in Mumbai, said health minister Rajesh Tope.

    “We have now decided to rationalise them further, so the charges will be reduced in tehsil- and district-level hospitals,” he said.

    Tope was speaking to reporters after attending a meeting with cabinet colleagues and officials.

    The government had earlier issued a notification which said that 80 per cent of COVID-19 patients admitted at private hospitals will be treated as per the government-prescribed rates.

    As this notification expired on May 31, a review was taken and a fresh rate card is being issued whereby charges in rural areas would be less, said Tope.

    “The rates have been classified into rural and urban areas. The proposal has been sent to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray for approval,” he said.

    It would significantly bring down the COVID-19 treatment expenses in rural areas, the minister added.

    Flying squads of the state government have been empowered to carry out inspections and initiate action if hospitals are found to be overcharging, Tope said.

    The government has also identified the private hospitals where the coronavirus infection treatment would be covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), the state’s health insurance scheme, he said.

    “The government has announced various packages for treatment covering all the costs including doctor’s visit and bed charges,” he added.

    Besides COVID-19, mucormycosis (black fungus) treatment is also covered under the MJPJAY, he noted.

    “There are some 4,000 cases of mucormycosis in the state at present. We are trying to make the medicine for it available to all patients,” the health minister said.

  • 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.

  • Uddhav government announces paediatric task force to prepare for COVID-19 third wave

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday announced the setting up of a paediatric task force, comprising 13 experts from the state, to prepare for the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which children are likely to be affected.

    Tope in a statement said noted paediatrician Dr Suhas Prabhu will be the chief of the 13-member task force, while Tatyarao Lahane, the director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, will be its member secretary.

    An order in this regard was issued on Thursday by Dr Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary of the public health department, it was stated.

    Anticipating a third wave of the pandemic, which is likely to affect children in more numbers, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had instructed the public health department to set up a task force of experts to make necessary preparations, the statement said.

  • Covishield vaccine supply for Maharashtra unlikely to start from May 20, state to approach Serum Institute

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Even as the Maharashtra government had earlier said that the state would start getting Covishield vaccine doses May 20 onwards, that possibility appears to be dim as minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said they would come to know about the supply once SII CEO Adar Poonawalla returns to India from abroad.

    On May 13, Tope had said that the Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO had promised Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray that 1.5 crore Covishield doses would be given to the state after May 20.

    When asked about it on Wednesday, Tope, the state Health Minister, said, “Once Poonawalla returns to India, we will come to know about the the availability of the vaccines.”

    The state government has some five lakh vials of Covishield and Covaxin, which is going to be used for completion of second dose as well as first dose of people in above 45 age group, he said.

    The government has also floated a global tender for vaccine procurement, which will remain open till May 25, the minister said.

    However, some of the approvals for procurement of vials need the Centre’s approval, he added.

    “Maharashtra has administered some 2.02 crore doses to people so far, which is the highest in the country. Various measures taken by the state to minimise the infection has resulted into the growth rate being 0.5 per cent. Among 36 states in the country, Maharashtra is at the 34th position (in terms of COVID-19 growth),” he said.

    The states recovery rate is above 90 per cent now, Tope added.

    When asked about recruitment in the health department, the minister said, “The state will finalise the recruitment agency in the next 4-5 days. We will expedite the procedure of recruitment. I have also held meetings with other state departments concerned such as general administration to fill the vacancies by promotion.”

    “Some posts have be filled throuogh promotions and the state government is expediting the process. We are trying to complete the entire exercise within the next two months,” he said.

    According to Tope, the state-run hospitals and medical colleges will have 100 per cent staff once the recruitment drive is over.

  • Maharashtra requests Centre float common global tender for vaccines, cut down prices of black fungus medicines

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday demanded that the Union government float a single global tender for coronavirus vaccines on behalf of all the states to avoid “unhealthy competition”.

    He made the suggestion during a video conference between Union health minister Harsh Vardhan and his counterparts from six states which have been severely affected by the pandemic, Tope told reporters here.

    “If every state starts floating global tender, vaccine manufacturers will benefit. The Union government should review the total vaccine requirement in the country and float a common tender,” he said.

    “There should not be any unhealthy competition between states. It would not look good,” Tope added.

    The Centre last month asked the states to buy vaccines directly from the market for the inoculation of people in the 18-44 years age group.

    It will buy 50 percent production of Indian vaccine manufacturers and distribute it to states for inoculation of the above 45 age group, the Centre said.

    Talking about the current status of vaccination in the state, Tope said, “Some 20-22 lakh vials are required to complete the second dose of people (in the above 45 category). By diverting the stock procured for 18-44 age group, we can only arrange up to 10 lakh vials.”

    The Centre should provide remaining 10 lakh vials immediately, he said.

    Tope said he also raised the issue of Remdesivir imports with Harsh Vardhan.

    “Maharashtra government has given purchase order for three lakh vials of Remdesivir, but the import permission is still stuck with the Drug Controller General of India. The Centre should expedite the procedure,” he said.

    Tope also said the Centre should bring down the prices of medicines used to treat black fungus, a serious but rare fungal infection now affecting coronavirus patients, and increase their quota for the state.

    Symptoms of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion and partial loss of vision.

    Tope was speaking to reporters after attending a video conference meeting with Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who interacted with health ministers from six states with high COVID-19 caseload.

    Tope said there are 1,500 cases of black fungus among COVID-19 patients in the state.

    Patients with suppressed immune system, diabetic and those with high iron levels in the blood are vulnerable to contract the disease which has high mortality rate, he said.

    Tope said, “Amphotericin-B, a key medicine used for treating the black fungus infection, is expensive. One injection costs around Rs 6,000 and requires a number of doses, from 20 to 60, in many cases. The Union government needs to bring down the MRP of this drug and other medicines to avoid their black-marketing. I have already written a letter to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority regarding the same as states can not decide on pricing of these medicines,” he said.

    The Centre has asked domestic pharma companies to increase the production of medicines required to treat Mucormycosis, the minister said.