Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) had alleged that several Indian seafarers who are not or no longer Maharashtrian residents, are denied COVID-19 vaccines by the BMC-run hospitals.
According to MASSA, the denial by the BMC-run hospitals is despite the central government allowing overseas job seekers to take their second dose of Covishield vaccine after a span of 28 day.
Govt of India permits overseas job seekers to take their 2nd dose of Covishield vaccine after a span of 28 days.
Why are BMC hospitals presently denying Indian seafarers (who are going overseas for jobs) the 2nd dose of Covishield stating that they are not from Maharashtra ? pic.twitter.com/ThBxWQqvRL
— MASSA (@MASSA04313270) July 6, 2021
“The Government of India permits overseas job seekers to take their second dose of Covishield vaccine after a span of 28 days. Why are BMC hospitals presently denying Indian seafarers (who are going overseas for jobs) the second dose of Covishield stating that they are not from Maharashtra,” MASSA said in a tweet.
The central government issued standard operating procedures (SOP) on June 7, reducing the gap between doses to 28 days for certain categories of personnel, and mandated that this facility be provided at designated government-run hospitals. Accordingly, the BMC declared seven hospitals within their precinct that were authorised to vaccinate qualified applicants, the Association said.
It also alleged that some of the BMC-nominated hospitals are turning the seafarers away when they approach facilities for the second dose of Covishield with appropriate documents, stating that the facility is available only for residents of Maharashtra. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare gradually increased the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine from four weeks to the current 12-16 weeks.
“This increase (in gap) put to inconvenience a number of persons who were seeking a job overseas or were employed overseas, as they needed to be ‘fully vaccinated’ before they left our shores for employment overseas”..MASSA Chief Executive Officer Shiv Halbe noted.
