homebusiness NewsIndia to rope in private sector to expand COVID vaccination drive; Experts discuss preparedness
India to rope in private sector to expand COVID vaccination drive; Experts discuss preparedness
Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Healthcare; Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman of Manipal Hospitals and Dr Rahul Pandit, Director of Critical Care Department at Fortis Hospitals, and also a member of the Maharashtra COVID Task Force discussed how prepared are private hospitals to roll out the vaccination programme with just three days to go for the second phase to begin.
India's vaccination drive is all set to enter the second phase starting from March 1. People above 60 years of age and those above 45 years having co-morbidities will be allowed to take COVID vaccine at both government and private hospitals.
Health ministry has identified 10,000 government centres and 20,000 private centres to roll out the second phase. Vaccination at government hospitals will be free, while those who choose private facilities will have to bear the cost.
Sources tell CNBC-TV18 the health ministry is in talks with private hospitals, vaccine manufacturers and other government departments on the cost as well as preparedness for the second phase of the vaccine drive.
CNBC-TV18 has learnt that private hospitals have proposed a price of Rs 400 per vaccine including the administration charges.
But the ministry is still considering various proposals for an affordable and competitive price.
Watch accompanying video of Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Healthcare; Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman of Manipal Hospitals and Dr Rahul Pandit, Director of Critical Care Department at Fortis Hospitals, and also a member of the Maharashtra COVID Task Force; discuss how prepared are private hospitals to roll out the vaccination programme with just three days to go for the second phase to begin.
(Edited by : Bivekananda Biswas)
First Published: Feb 25, 2021 5:09 PM IST
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