Pune: The Dr Bandorawalla Government Leprosy Hospital in Kondhwa Budruk has been affected by the contagion of coronavirus. Out of 128 patients, 21 have been identified as Covid-19 positive. These patients have been admitted to the jumbo hospital facility at the COEP ground in Shivajinagar. The Pune Municipal Corporation has now woken up and reserved 40 beds for patients with leprosy and who are infected by the COVID-19 disease.
Tanaji Narle, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of Kondhwa Ward Office of the Pune Municipal Corporation undertook the screening of 128 patients in the Dr Bandorawalla Government Leprosy Hospital in Kondhwa Budruk. Shockingly, 21 patients were identified as Covid-19 positive in the hospital.
Considering the seriousness of the situation, the civic officials rushed the lepers to the nearest hospital facility, but as the patients didn't have Aadhar Cards, none of them were admitted. All the patients were returned to the leprosy centre.
Later, Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar issued orders to admit them to the jumbo covid center immediately. Then the patients were immediately shifted to the jumbo hospital facility.
Maharashtra has been the most affected state in the country by the deadly coronavirus. In Maharashtra, Pune city is leading in the total number of COVID-19 cases reported. Pune's mortality rate is also high and is the second highest in the state. While dealing with this critical situation, the Pune Municipal Corporation did set up the jumbo hospital in the city, but forgot to look after the 'neglected' section of society like those who are affected with leprosy.
Rubal Agarwal, Additional Municipal Commissioner of PMC and Executive Head of the jumbo hospital said, "So far 21 patients have been admitted at the facility. Four patients were suspected of contracting the COVID-19 disease at the Dr Bandorawalla Government Leprosy Hospital in Kondhwa."
"Because of leprosy, the fingers, earlobes and other organs of the patients are disfigured and hence it is difficult to conduct Covid test on them or use the pulse oximeters to check the oxygen saturation levels in their body," she added.
"Testing - Treatment - All was taken care of. PMC is very fortunate to provide COVID treatment for the citizens suffering from Leprosy at COEP Jumbo", Agarwal tweeted.