As the cases of COVID-19 infection is growing day-by-day, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to carry out geographic information system (GIS) mapping of areas in Mumbai from where the cases have surfaced. The mapping will mark the areas affected and will help in order to allow residents to be more alert. Moreover, the civic body is also planning to bring in final-year medical and nursing students from BMC-run colleges to work in hospitals in case needed.
The decisions from the civic body came following a meeting held on Monday, March 30, wherein Praveen Pardeshi, Municipal Commissioner, BMC connected with the officials and the Health Department through video conferencing. Ashwini Bhide, a 1998-Batch IAS officer, who will be looking after the COVID-19 control room in Mumbai, also attended the meeting.
Moreover, during the meeting, it was decided that the civic body will release the GIS maps online so that residents of the city would be aware of the affected areas nearby. Also, the move will help the residents to take social distancing more seriously.
The next important decision taken during the meeting was to call in final year medical students and second year, third-year nursing students to work if required. The students will be provided training before deployment and will be deployed at outpatient departments or similar areas in the municipal hospitals.
Ashwini Bhide who is former Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited was involved in the COVID-19 taskforce by Uddhav Thackrey, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Following that Bhide has been posted as the Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC and the head of the virus war room. Dr Ramaswami N has also been on deputation basis to the BMC as a part of the task force. Dr Ramaswami also attended the meeting held on March 30.
Further, the BMC had also decided to give an allowance of Rs 300 daily to all its employees, especially those working in the healthcare sector or involved in treating the virus or sanitation services.
