Guardian minister of the city suburbs Naseem Khan today said that there was a need for more hospitals in the suburbs following a tremendous increase in population over the past few years.
Guardian minister of the city suburbs Naseem Khan today said there was a need for more hospitals in the suburbs following a tremendous increase in population over the past few years.
"Due to the increase in population here, there is need for at least four hospitals, two each in eastern and western suburbs. Also, the existing civic and state-run hospitals must be upgraded. Extra Floor Space Index (FSI) has been will be given to hospitals to carry out modernisation activity," he said.
The minister, who visited Rajawadi hospital and Milind Nagar slums in suburban Ghatkopar and Bhagwati hospital in suburban Borivali, observed that while at Bhagwati hospital two patients were sharing one bed, patients were seen on floor beds in the corridors.
"As per the protocol, hospitals cannot refrain from admitting patients even if there is no place. In this case, the hospitals can built temporary shades in hospital premises or put up extra beds in the passage area," the minister said.
Meanwhile, at Bhagwati hospital, patients complained that they were not given free medicines from the hospital, which instead issued them prescription, gave no timely treatment or maintained hygiene.
Khan also directed the BMC officials to take blood samples of Milind Nagar residents daily.
"I have asked the BMC to visit the slum pockets and collect blood samples of slum dwellers and provide timely treatment to them,” the minister said.
The minister has also said that as the number of malaria cases pile up, the BMC must take help of private laboratories for blood testing.
"Private laboratories must be roped in to help in analysis of blood samples collected at civic hospitals. This will reduce the delay in test reports starting the radical treatment," Khan said.
The centralised BMC-run testing centre for malaria patients housed in the Kasturba Hospital cannot handle more than 3500 to 4000 samples a day with the help of 49 technicians.
While, bigger civic hospitals like KEM, Sion and Nair have their own set-ups.
"Laboratories will be set up at ward levels for sample examination so that extra cases are taken care of by them. They will be paid Rs 20 per sample for examination," additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said.
"My brother was been admitted at the hospital for loose motions and fever three days ago but there has been no improvement in his condition. Also, doctors have asked us to bring medicines from outside," said 31-year-old, Kanchan Shrivastav.
Pinky Prasad, 23, who lost her father Harishchandra this morning said, "The hospital authorities did not give timely and required treatment to my father. They were not clear of what my father was suffering they said either he is having malaria or jaundice or kidney failure. Had proper attention been given to him he would have been alive."
The minister has directed hospital authorities to provide all kind of medicines free at the hospital. "I have asked the concerned authorities to conduct an enquiry into the matter and action will be taken against the doctors or nurses if found guilty," Khan said.
Meanwhile, a 52-year-old man, died due to malaria at a civic hospital last night, taking the death toll to 11 since August. Over 45 persons have died due to the disease since January. Altogether 207 persons were admitted today at various hospitals with malaria symptoms.
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