Pune Municipal Corporation Takes Action Over Tetanus Vaccine Shortage
Show-Cause Notice Issued
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has responded to a significant shortage of tetanus vaccines by issuing a show-cause notice to the medical superintendent of Jayabai Sutar Hospital and Maternity Home located in Kothrud. Reports indicate that the hospital faced a five-day depletion of tetanus injections, which compelled patients to purchase the vaccine from private medical establishments.
Request for Explanation
In the notice, the PMC has requested that the medical superintendent provide a written explanation regarding the failure to inform the head office about the vaccine stock shortage. The authorities have set a deadline for this response and indicated that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation may lead to actions under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act of 1949.
Impact on Patients
This decision follows a report by HT, which revealed that patients visiting the PMC-operated facility were either turned away or instructed to secure the vaccine independently, as the hospital had no supplies available. Many patients, including those with minor injuries, animal bites, or infected wounds, left without receiving the essential tetanus shot. Those requiring the vaccine urgently were forced to obtain it from private pharmacies.
Resolution and Response from PMC
In response to the situation, the PMC has dispatched over 1,000 doses of tetanus vaccines to the hospital. Dr. Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer and City Immunisation Officer at PMC, stated, “The notice has been issued to the medical superintendent, asking him to submit a written explanation for not informing the head office about the stock being exhausted. It is the duty of the hospital head to monitor the available stock of medicines and vaccines. However, there was no request or intimation from their side that tetanus vaccines are not available.”