Mosquito menace at JJ: Resident doctors contract dengue, malaria

Ongoing construction work at JJ hospital

Resident doctors at JJ hospital have voiced their concerns about a mosquito problem in the wards and hostel premises. Some doctors have contracted dengue and malaria. According to the Maharashtra Resident Doctors Association (MARD), 14 resident doctors are suffering from dengue and have been admitted, while the hospital dean claimed that only 3 have been admitted.

One junior resident doctor at JJ, who had been experiencing high fever since last Friday, got tested and was confirmed positive for dengue on Monday. She said, "A lot of reconstruction work is ongoing at our hospital. There are many moist, damp areas, and my ward has a significant mosquito infestation as well. It is very likely I contracted dengue within the hospital premises."

The doctor, who works in the gynaecology ward, mentioned that the construction sites are not following mosquito control measures. Another junior resident doctor added, "The hostels are in a terrible state," emphasising that mosquitoes are a serious problem. She also noted it's not just resident doctors but even some ward staff who have contracted dengue.

Currently, the hospital is renovating its wards, hostels, and other medical facilities. Additionally, construction for the hospital's super-speciality building is still ongoing and is expected to be completed by 2025. A senior resident doctor at JJ said, "It has been years since various construction works began. It now seems like this is not a hospital but the redevelopment of some housing society."

Having been with the hospital for the past few years, he added, "Every year, there are fogging activities for mosquito control carried out by BMC, but there was nothing this year." He said a resident doctor has contracted malaria.

JJ's Dean, Dr Pallavi Saple, said that BMC's pest control activities are usually conducted around the monsoon season. "They have their own rounds, and after that, they do it if we request it," she said. She also stated that the public works department has been instructed to ensure there's no stagnation of water or debris, saying, "It is their responsibility to ensure that it doesn't happen." She also claimed only 3 resident doctors have been admitted for dengue.

Last month, Mumbai witnessed the highest number of dengue and malaria cases in recent years, with a total of 1,360 dengue cases and 1,313 malaria cases by the end of September. Officials from the pest control department were unavailable for comment.

14
No of doctors who contracted dengue as claimed by MARD