Mumbai: Aaditya targets BMC over lapses in civic hospitals

Despite Thackeray’s claim, the dean of Sion hospital said there is no shortage of X-Ray films. File pic

The Shiv Sena's (UBT) Aaditya Thackeray flagged a series of lapses regarding the BMC's health administration, including a lack of essential medical supplies, adequate infrastructure, and shortage of doctors, in a post on X on Tuesday. He claimed civic-run hospitals are in bad shape and some are running out of medicines. He also alleged promotions of doctors have been stalled for a year and many posts are lying vacant in BMC hospitals.

"For example, take Sion Hospital. While the doctors and staff are working tirelessly to support the services, I have been told that the hospital is running out of basic medicines, medical gloves, and X-Ray film stock. Yet, the BMC administration has not fully supported it," he stated in the post.

Dean speak

When mid-day reached out to Sion hospital's Dean, Mohan Joshi, he said, "We are making whatever is within our reach available. There is definitely no shortage of X-Ray films." Thackeray had also mentioned that Sion hospital had to acquire 1 lakh bottles of IV fluids through donations, instead of the Central Procurement Department. While Dr Joshi said he did not wish to comment on the supply by the Central Procurement Department, he mentioned, "We accept donations anytime people wish to contribute."

Shiv Sena (UBT) workers protest outside KEM Hospital on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

Regarding the shortage of doctors at multiple BMC-run hospitals, Dr Joshi confirmed that there are a number of vacant positions at his hospital, but refused to comment further. According to BMC data, there is a shortage of 439 doctors, while the total sanctioned posts are 1,606.

The Shiv Sena leader had also pointed out that the hospitals have been tasked with purchasing medicines for up to Rs 20 lakh, a responsibility that was previously handled by the Central Purchase Department (CPD). Hospital sources told mid-day that this change is benefiting the patients, as it ensures early supplies and eliminates unforeseen delays.

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"It is true that there are many vacant positions, but we are taking efforts to fill up these as soon as possible. In terms of delayed promotions, there is a process in place, and it is progressing smoothly," said the dean of another prominent BMC-run hospital. Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sudhakar Shinde was unavailable for comment on the allegations of financial and administrative mismanagement. Notably, some of the issues flagged by Thackeray were also prevalent when his party was in power at BMC.

"This is the result of what the Thackerays did in the past 25 years. Now the situation has started to change. But it will take time. Services in civic hospitals will definitely improve now, said Bhalchandra Shirsat, BJP spokesperson.

Protest at KEM

About 600 to 700 Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, along with five former corporators, took out a protest from its shakhas to KEM Hospital in Parel on Tuesday. "Our main grievance was with CPD which has not been supplying essential medicines and equipment to BMC hospitals," said Sachin Padwal, a former corporator.

He said party members decided to meet AMC Shinde after the protest and put forth their demands. "The outcome was positive. It was decided to reissue new tenders for MRI machines. It was also decided to procure sonography machines via airlift instead of ship from China for early arrival," he said. Furthermore, he claimed that the existing scheduled list of medicines will be scrapped at the earliest, and a new list which will include a total of 500 medicines instead of the earlier 300 will be issued. He told us all the HODs will be consulted and accordingly medicines will be added to the list," Padwal said.

Inputs from Sameer Surve, PTI