MUMBAI : When a 56-year-old man died on 1 April in Dharavi, the first covid-19 death in Asia’s largest slum, panic ensued.
Though Mumbai had reported 181 covid-19 positive cases and nine deaths by then, it was Dharavi that the government did not want to take a chance with.But the virus had spread. “We knew if the virus spread further, it would be catastrophic.
So, our team of Mahim Dharavi Medical Practitioners’ Association and the members of Indian Medical Association, together 25 doctors, roamed for 10 days in the major hotspot areas of Dharavi, testing thousands of residents," said Dr Shivkumar Utture, a general surgeon practising in the area.The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) tied up with the team, isolating and quarantining.