The MUMBAI police, who have so far lost 122 employees to Covid-19, have started a fitness program in which each person has one-on-one interviews with nutritionists. Depending on the severity of their comorbidities, they are assigned diet and exercise. In addition, the improvement in their health is monitored for three months.
A pilot project started on July 19 and 100 employees are currently in consultation. The Mumbai Police Department lost 99 employees to Covid-19 in 2020 and 23 by the first week of July this year.
Deputy Police Commissioner Rajkumar Vhatkar (Admin) said 95 percent of employees who died of Covid-19 suffered from comorbidities. “We have found that they tend to take care of themselves during their daily activities, and the department needs a program where someone will constantly monitor their health and suggest any necessary changes in their diet and exercise.”
For the fitness program, the police have teamed up with The Indian Nutrition Coach, who belongs to the daughter of an incumbent sub-inspector.
Officials said that 20 employees each from five police stations – Ghatkopar, Pant Nagar, RCF, Shivaji Nagar and Trombay – are over 45 years old and have comorbidities were selected for the pilot program.
The additional police commissioner Sanjay Darade (Region East) said: “These staff first underwent a blood test recommended by the institute and are now receiving advice.”
Police said the counselors will interact with staff during the three-month program to get to know them personally, understand their lifestyle and eating habits, and recommend diets and exercises to them based on the severity of their comorbidities.
The counselors visit her every week at the police station, where her progress is assessed. “We are in the early stages of this program. So far we are planning to occupy five police stations at the same time. The advisors will visit each police station Monday through Friday and advise the selected 20 employees daily for three months, ”said Darade.
Staff will also undergo multiple checkups between meetings to monitor their improvement and their diet and exercise may change accordingly, an official said.
Sources said the Mumbai police will pay 3,000 rupees from their welfare fund for each police personnel on this program.
Darade said the mission is to have an active and fit force and to instill healthy habits in the staff. “We often see them eating vada pav, samosa, and other fried foods. We will encourage them to eat as much nutritious diet and homemade food as possible, ”one official said.
