Collector unfazed by docs’ lukewarm response to appeal

Mumbai: It’s been nearly a month since Raigad collector Dr Vijay Suryawanshi implored doctors from Mumbai, Vashi and Pune to drive down in groups to conduct camps at Karjat’s sub-district hospitals over the weekends, but the response has been tepid with only two doctors heeding his appeal.

However, Dr Suryawanshi remains unfazed and told The Asian Age that while the response is slow, it may pick up gradually.

“It is just the beginning. We want to rope in more medicos to cater to the needs of this region and also specialised doctors for opinions and treatment. We have just started with a few and hope we will get more doctors for this work,” he said.

A good response to the collector’s request may prove significant in catering to the medical needs of the 2.2 lakh population of Karjat, which is a popular weekend getaway. Meanwhile, the hospital’s infrastructure is getting revamped, with attention being paid to the tiling work in bathrooms and tanks, among others. In a first, an independent ward for male patients has been set up. Earlier, male patients had to be accommodated in the ward meant for female patients.

Dr Nitin Chavan, superintendent of the hospital, said, “The collector’s idea was to tackle the perennial shortage of specialist doctors and it is now working. One or two doctors came and used our OPD. The upgradation work, too, has started including tiling work of bathrooms and tanks, and white paint and water proofing of the terrace for protection.”