BMC Run Hospitals deny administering Second Dose of Vaccination for the Seafarers: MASSA

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation refuses to administer Covid-19 vaccines to Maritime Association of Ship-owners, Ship-managers, and Agents (MASSA) claimed the shipping industry on Tuesday as Indian seafarers are not the inhabitant of Maharashtra. The seafarers live in different parts of the country and frequently visit Mumbai to finish some essential documentation. 

 

As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation denies to vaccinate the Maritime Association of Shipowners, Ship-managers, and Agents (MASSA) challenges are being faced by them in acquiring jobs overseas, as the countries demand the employers to be fully vaccinated before they visit. 

 

“The permission has been granted by the Government of India for the overseas job seekers to take their second dose of Covishield vaccine following a period of 28 days. But why are BMC hospitals not allowing Indian seafarers for the second dose siting that they are not from Maharashtra” Maritime Association of Ship-owners, Ship- managers and Agents (MASSA) said in a tweet. 

 

The Standard Operating Procedure was issued by the central government on June 7, minimizing the period between doses to 28 days for certain categories of personnel, and assured that these facilities will be provided at all assigned government-run hospitals. After which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proclaimed seven hospitals under their sector to vaccinate qualified applicants, said the Association. 

 

It is also claimed that after having all the required documents, still, the BMC run hospitals are denying to administer the second dose of Covishied stating that the facility is only for the residents of Maharashtra. “Among the categories of people going overseas for employment there is one category of seafarers, who are employed on ships which operate all over the world consequently keeping the global supply chain intact,” said the Maritime Association of Ship-owners, Ship- managers and Agents (MASSA) Shiv Halbe.