"As the Covid pandemic waxes and wanes, our committee is continuously finding ways and means to battle the same and serve the community, especially the poor, needy and less fortunate,” noted Homa Petit, president of The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital (PGH) in his message to the community dated March 19, 2021. "In fact, during the pandemic we have treated more than 420 Parsis for Covid and even today, in the so-called second wave, we have 22 patients in our Covid facility for treatment,” he added.
Beginning March 16 when PGH was recognized by the Bombay Municipal Corporation as a Covid Vaccination Centre (CVC), they have been giving free inoculations to nearly 200 community members daily, mentioned Petit. "The executive committee of the PGH has decided that, as a service to our community, the vaccination will be free of cost to Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians and the (Rs 250) charges fixed by the government will be entirely borne and paid by the Hospital itself,” he clarified. Depending on supply from the municipal authorities, the vaccine administered will be either Covishield produced by the Serum Institute of India or Covaxin produced by Bharat Biotech.
From the accolades received by the administration and shared with Parsiana by the PGH chief executive officer Dr (Lt Gen) Manomoy Ganguly (retd) at the end of the first week of vaccination, it is apparent that the "splendid arrangements” with large, demarcated waiting, registration and post vaccine areas, and the "very courteous doctor, nurses and staff” ensured there was "no rush and proper social distancing.”
The residents of the Pallonji Shapoorji Home for Senior Citizens commended the PGH administration for "providing such a smooth and serene system to each of our senior citizens.” Yet others who had brought their aged parents were delighted that the experience with complimentary tea and coffee was "fabulous; no waiting, no crowds, so well organized.” One visitor was pleasantly surprised that the PGH offered assistance to drop off patients at a convenient railway station by car at an extremely subsidized rate. A lady who had recently completed 60 years was "so impressed, I recommended it to everyone.” A social media post by Bakhtavar Madon carried on the PGH website summed up the euphoria, "The PGH has outdone itself in serving the age-challenged.”
At The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital: well organized Covid vaccination facilities
In the first fortnight, everyone above the age of 60 years and those between the ages of 45 to 60 years having co-morbidities (as per doctor’s certificate) were eligible to be inoculated. Beginning April 1, the vaccination drive was to open up for all in the 45 to 60 age group. "Please note that it will be difficult to accommodate ‘walk-in’ patients who have not registered and received a confirmation of the date and time for their inoculation,” stated Petit.
Those who wish to avail of the PGH facilities should register in advance on the CoWIN-2 app,
http://www.cowin.gov.in, or speak to Nilufer on the PGH Helpline numbers 61186080 or 61186081, giving their PAN/Aadhar card details and mobile number. On receiving a confirmation for the date and time slot for the vaccination, the same mobile and government identity card need to be carried to the venue.
The PGH CVC will operate between 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and between 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturdays. Deputy medical superintendent of PGH Dr Anuj Agarwal is in charge of the CVC, under the overall supervision of Ganguly.
In early March, a communication from the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chief executive officer Aspi Sarkari mentioned that the BPP and the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman are "working on a proposal to make available free vaccines for our community members. This proposal is subject to availability of the vaccines and acceptance of the proposal by the authorities/vaccination centers/hospitals.” With the Punchayet elections scheduled for May 23, 2021, some aspiring candidates are offering to register senior citizens not familiar with electronic devices and arranging transport for those considering vaccination. Parinaz M. Gandhi