Two major hospitals in city set to get smoke filtration systems

Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion, popularly known as Sion hospital, is one of the two major hospitals that will get the smoke filtration systems. File pic

Two major civic hospitals in the city are set to get smoke extraction systems soon. After the fire in Bhandara civil hospital in January last year in which 10 newborns died, the civic body has decided to set up smoke filtration systems in the intensive care units of major hospitals. BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal last week approved a proposal for the same for BYL Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central and Lokmanya Tilak hospital in Sion. The civic body, however, has no plans to set up the system in peripheral hospitals yet.

It will cost the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation R13.66 crore to install the system at these two hospitals. Another major civic-run hospital, KEM, already has the systems. As per the proposal, the smoke during a fire hinders the firefighting process and is also toxic. With the installation of a smoke extraction system, the civic body aims to reduce harmful gases in the air which could prove hazardous and also increase visibility, thus helping the process to evacuate people. It also mentions that as it is not possible to install a duct flue, the civic body has decided on a ductless smoke filtration mechanism.

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A civic official said that as ICUs are completely closed and have more equipment than other wards, the risk of short-circuit is higher. In view of this, the system will be installed in the ICUs and neonatal intensive care units. When asked about plans to set up the system in peripheral hospitals, a BMC official said, "We do not have such a plan now. Currently, some of the hospitals are undergoing redevelopment and one new hospital is being constructed in the suburbs. We will consider installing a similar system there later." Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar did not respond to mid-day's calls and messages.

As per reports, the expansion works of Shatabdi hospital in Govandi, Bhabha hospital in Kurla and M T Agarwal hospital in Mulund are in process. The BMC is also working on a proposal to redevelop its old hospital in Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli. Apart from this, there is a plan to construct new hospitals in Bhandup and Chandivli.