Inadequate doctors, facilities plague Bhagwati Hospital

Although the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has spent nearly Rs 43 crore on upgrading this super-specialty hospital in Borivali, the 110-bed facility hospital has around 30 beds occupied by patients and only two doctors to take care of them at any point in time. There is also an outpatient department (OPD), a 24-hour emergency ward, an X-ray department, a mortuary, and a pharmacy.

“Only two doctors work here on shifts i.e. from 8 am to 4 pm and 4 pm to 8 am. Every day, we have 200 to 250 patients in OPD and while checking an OPD patient, if an emergency comes up, we cannot do anything,” said a senior doctor working at the hospital. The total staff expected in the hospital is 181 but at any given point in time, there are only 33 staffers, including doctors, nurses, ward boys, sweepers and others. The hospital is allotted 10 doctors but only two turn up while the remaining eight go to Shatabdi Hospital.

Social worker Dhananjay Junnarkar said the 11-storey hospital was unable to perform surgeries or render emergency treatment.

Dr Krishna Pimple, superintendent, Shatabdi Hospital and in-charge, Bhagwati Hospital, said, “We have put in advertisements for vacant posts. All efforts are being made to provide doctors and other facilities for treatment of patients.”