Bandra MLA says Bhabha hospital not monsoon-ready

Ashish Shelar, MLA from Bandra (W), has raised the issue of a lack of adequate facilities at the civic-run Bhabha Hospital. It is reeling from a shortage of doctors, among other issues, said Shelar.

"I have raised the issue with the health officers in the BMC as well as the local ward officers," Shelar said. In a tweet earlier, Shelar said the hospital did not have a specialist orthopedic doctor, the operation theatres were non-functional and there was no inadequate cleaning staff. He also said the hospital was not "monsoon-ready".

However, Dr Pradeep Jadhav, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, denied the allegations.

"We have two operation theatres and all orthopedic surgeries are being carried out at our hospital," Dr Jadhav insisted. "We have the required number of surgeons. He (Shelar) did meet BMC officials to complain about the issue, but we have made our stand clear," he said.

When asked about the issue, BMC's Executive Health Officer Dr Padmaja Keskar said it is a matter that Dr Jadhav will resolve.

While hospital authorities refuse to acknowledge infrastructural issues, the hospital's condition tells another story. The paan-stained walls, decrepit wheelchairs and beds and relatives of the patients' lying in the corridors paint a sorry picture.