After man drowns at Dadar swimming pool, BMC dives into action

The Mahatma Gandhi Swimming Pool in Dadar will have a full-time medical officer and an ambulance service to provide assistance in case of any medical emergency. The hurried decision taken by the civic body comes two days after a 59-year-old pool member fell unconscious at the pool and died. It later came to light that Parab had a heart problem.

MiD DAY's report on February 20

MiD DAY had reported on the incident (‘Man dies after falling unconscious at pool,' February 20) wherein it highlighted how the presence of a medical officer could have saved Parab's life.

Following the report, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration and corporators discussed the issue at the Standing Committee meeting yesterday, after which they resolved to deploy a medical officer and an ambulance on a priority basis at the premises.

At the meeting, Devendra Ambrekar, Opposition leader in the BMC, raised a point of order that there was an urgent need to deploy a medical officer. All members agreed and the Standing committee Chairman ordered that a medical officer be employed at the earliest.

Rahul Shewale, committee chairman, said, "This was a grave incident that should not have taken place. There is a need for a medical officer and an ambulance service at the premises in case of an emergency. Moreover, the practice of checking the members' health records should be resumed."