Police hospital will soon get hi-tech

Come New Year, and the Mumbai police hospital at Nagpada will get a facelift. Reason: Increasing workload, especially after the July 11 blasts and 24-hour bandobast duties for festivals, has put the force under severe pressure. The upgradation of  facilities is expected to begin early 2007.

“We will introduce four more operation theatres, a pathological laboratory and tech-savvy machines. The state has approved our proposal,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration) Subash Awate.  The proposal now awaits a green signal from the finance department. The force of late has been on its toes after the blasts, 24-hour duty during festivals, riot-like situation when the Dalits went on a rampage across the city.

“Private medical care treatment costs spiralled recently. We want our police force to avail of the best facilities at affordable rates,” added Awate. Senior police officers said the hospital, which has 114 beds, is not equipped to handle emergency cases. The police force is glad that medical treatment will soon be available at affordable rates.

“The revamp has been long overdue. If the hospital is converted into one that is on a par with its private ones, it will be of great help financially,” said a senior police officer.

“Several officers suffer from hypertension, increase in stress level and diabetes. A hospital with state-of-the-art medical equipment is the need of the hour. It has come at a good time,” said a police officer at Matunga police station.