JJ’s crumbling hostel: State Human Rights Commission summons hospital’s dean, PWD

Chunks of plaster have fallen off the ceilings and the walls across the JJ hospital hostel at Byculla

Moved by a mid-day report on the appalling conditions of a hostel building for resident doctors of JJ hospital, the State Human Rights Commission has summoned the hospital's dean, the Public Works Department and state health officials to seek their response. Sources said SHRC authorities visited the hostel and were stunned to find chunks of concrete fallen off the walls, leaky ceilings and broken tiles across the hostel that houses about 500 resident doctors.

The authorities have been asked to appear in courtroom no. 1 before the division bench of Justice KK Tated, SHRC chairperson, and member MA Sayeed at 11 am on October 19.

The suo moto action by SHRC came after this newspaper carried photos highlighting the risks to the lives of the doctors due to the decrepit structure on the premises of the state government-run Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals at Byculla. The resident doctors said they had to set up plastic sheds inside the rooms to escape from leakage.

Also Read: Mumbai: We live in misery, say JJ resident doctors

"After going through the report in mid-day, our fact-finding team visited the hostel. We found that whatever was written in the newspaper was absolutely correct. The hostel building apart, we also checked the condition of the other structures on the premises," said a senior SHRC official who did not wish to come on record.

The commission has summoned the additional chief secretaries of PWD and public health department and the dean of Sir JJ hospital. "We have asked the officials concerned to submit documents including the structural report of the 7-storey building," said the SHRC official.

The Commission has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character.

A resident doctor said, "Thank you for highlighting the serious issue concerning medical students and doctors. We also like to thank SHRC for taking the suo moto action. We have full faith in the commission that it will affect a long-term solution."

JJ Dean Dr Pallavi Saple said, "I will check with my legal desk whether they have received the summons from the Commission. If received, we definitely will follow the hon'ble Commission's order."

Manoj Saunik, additional chief secretary of PWD, said, "I will see if we have received the summons. If we have got it, we will go and give our explanation." Sanjay Khandare, additional chief secretary of public health department, could not be reached despite attempts.

19
Day in Oct when SHRC will hear the matter