Facilities for the poor can’t be treated as second-class

Sushma Swaraj Maternity Hospital in Bhandup West; The deceased mother Saheedun Ansari; the deceased baby

A 26-year-old Bhandup resident's delivery by C-section in a municipal maternity home in Bhandup was done under torchlight, reports stated. Doctors delivered a dead boy, and the mother was declared dead a few hours later at Sion Hospital, where she was rushed. The BMC has set up a committee, to investigate this and look for answers.

While this is shocking, it should be a watershed moment for the authorities who should now put a lens on all municipal facilities and nursing homes. There needs to be a comprehensive survey to see whether these hospitals have adequate facilities. Light is an absolute basic, so it is incomprehensible how an amenity can function without lights and an operation be conducted by torchlight.

One investigation is not the answer. Well-planned methods include teams fanning out in different areas to check out facilities at different hospitals everywhere. Lacunae if any, has to be categorised as mild or serious. This has to be filled in quickly and quality replacements that stand the test of time, are modern and will do the job. There are also a number of factors like light, air, hygiene and equipment that have to be considered. There are several facilities where waiting areas are extremely sub-standard and very dirty. We are not even getting into the patient areas, just those outside which see families of those admitted waiting.

These too need to be very clean as there is always danger of infection. It is disappointing that when we seem to be zooming into a hi-tech age and tout progress attained in certain areas, we are lacking in some extremely fundamental healthcare or are very slipshod about it. Go beyond a solo inquiry and spread the net wide, so that we see a real upgrade in the centres that need it and save people's lives. Every life matters.

The absolute basics must be in place or punitive measures slapped on those responsible.