shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Article > Maharashtra government acts on online plea orders revamp of morgue

Maharashtra government acts on online plea, orders revamp of morgue

Updated on: 14 June,2018 05:01 PM IST  |  Mumbai
PTI |

Renu Kapoor, a member of Colaba Advanced Locality Management (ALM), a citizen's group, had put up a petition on on Change.org in April to highlight the poor condition of the morgue in the hospital

Maharashtra government acts on online plea, orders revamp of morgue

Devendra Fadnavis

Acting on an online campaign launched by a city-based woman, the Maharashtra government has ordered St George's hospital in South Mumbai to upgrade its morgue and appoint only qualified staff to conduct autopsies. The hospital authorities said following the government order they now plan to construct a new morgue there.


Renu Kapoor, a member of Colaba Advanced Locality Management (ALM), a citizen's group, had put up a petition on on Change.org in April to highlight the poor condition of the morgue in the hospital. "10 bodies stacked one on top of the other in a dimly lit, tiny room with no windows and a leaky roof! Thats the morgue in Mumbais St George's hospital. In the Maximum city, the underprivileged dont even have dignity in death. Complete apathy for the dead," her petition addressed to the chief minister and family welfare minister, said. Her petition said she saw the "horrible condition" of the morgue when her driver Manoj died in April last year.


"The post-mortems are performed by untrained staff. That's why I started this petition to revamp the morgue and post-mortem centre at the St George's hospital immediately," the petition said. Kapoor's online campaign struck a chord with Mumbai's citizens. Dr Pravin Shingare, Head, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), on June 11 ordered the hospital authorities to appoint only qualified doctors to conduct autopsies and upgrade the facilities at the morgue. The officials called up Kapoor and held a meeting with her.


"What I liked is that the government authorities not only took cognisance of my plea, but also called me to discuss how can it be done. And I was quite happy that they ordered time-bound implementation," Kapoor told PTI. The DMER order mentioned that the financial grant to to start the repair and electrification of the morgue by the PWD, will be given on a priority basis. It also instructed the hospital to begin the redevelopment work by this month end.

"Ensure that autopsies are conducted only in the presence of a trained, qualified doctor. From 18 June, strict action will be taken against any unskilled, untrained, unqualified person found performing an autopsy. The person will be suspended," the order said. "Action will also be taken if any doctor is found making a Class-4 employee perform an autopsy," it added. When contacted, Dr Madhukar Gaikwad, superintendent of St George hospital confirmed to have received the order from the DMER and said that they were now constructing a new morgue.

"We thought that it would be better to have an entirely new morgue, besides renovating this one. Therefore, we have identified a place and started the process to come up construct a new morgue. We are trying hard to build it as soon as possible," he said.

Also Read - Devendra Fadnavis: People Will Vote For Narendra Modi Again In 2019

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK