Alarms yet to be installed in state-run hospitals

Mumbai: Despite the state government’s assurances that it would beef up security to prevent attacks on junior resident doctors, nothing much has changed at four key state-run hospitals in Mumbai. Also, only six alarm systems that connect the emergency wards and the dean’s offices to the security post located on hospital campuses have been installed in civic-run hospitals such as KEM and Cooper Hospital.

Though 1,100 Maharashtra State Security Forces (MSSF) guards are to be deployed by mid-April, only 400 have been roped in so far.

After a spate of attacks on resident doctors, there have been attempts to improve security at major civic- and state-run hospitals, and hospital officials claim the pass system has already been started. However, the alarm system is still awaited in state-run hospitals. In the city, there are four major state–run hospitals: JJ, St George, Cama and G.T Hospital.

Stating that the alarm system would be installed at JJ Hospital this week, dean Dr T.P. Lahane said, “Things are in the pipeline. We have increased security at the hospital, including police personnel. I have been strictly monitoring all state-run hospitals. No one is allowed to enter the hospital without a pass — that’s my strict instruction.”

Dr Avinash Supe, director of major civic- run hospitals said, “Hospitals such as KEM and Cooper have already installed the alarm system. So far, six alarms have been installed.”

MARD president Yashowardhan Kabra said, “To prevent untoward incidents, strict implementation of the pass system is necessary. The alarms will help all doctors and the staff on hospital premises.”