Mumbai's dialysis patients, who are already running from pillar to post for treatment, have to brace for yet another storm. Starting Monday, many private hospitals, on the BMC's order, will be dedicating 80 per cent of their beds for COVID-19 patients. Due to this, some of the hospitals will no longer be able to continue with the dialysis procedure. "The BMC's decision is going to hit us hard. Most hospitals are giving preference to existing patients, and those from other hospitals have to go through a battery of tests," said Sudha Hariharan, a resident of Chembur, who has been going for weekly dialysis sessions at Surana Sethia Hospital.

The Chembur-based hospital has now asked patients to visit their Sanpada branch, which is nearly 45 minutes away.