Sewri TB hospital set for surgeries from next week
The last surgery in the hospital was done in 2006.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will commence surgical operations at Sewri TB Hospital from next week, a little more than a month after the drug-resistant TB controversy rattled the health authorities. The last surgery in the hospital was done in 2006.
According to a senior official from the hospital, three honorary doctors have been appointed, along with an anaesthetist. Thoracic surgeons Dr H Bhanushali and Dr Sushil Shirodkar, who had worked earlier with the hospital, will join as honorary doctors to operate and train CVTS doctors, while Dr Krishna Joshi will join as anaesthetist.
Dr Bhanushali operated on over 7,600 patients from 1966 to 1991, with a success rate of 97%. “After the decision to review the Sewri operation theatres (OT) for major thoracic surgeries was taken, they were upgraded with the latest equipment and are now ready for surgery again,” said the official.
Dr AA Bandiwadekar, executive health officer, BMC, confirmed the decision. “We have enlisted honorary doctors to begin with the operations, which will start by February 27.” The hospital has been getting applications from private hospital doctors as well.
Following DNA’s report on the dismaying condition of Sewri TB Hospital, the state and the BMC decided to develop it as a centre of excellence in tuberculosis management.
“It is now a DOTs-plus site. We will admit the drug resistant patients for 10 days, and they will be given counselling by psychiatrists, ENT specialists and other experts. If the patient is stable and responding well to the treatment, he will be discharged and then he has to report to the nearest RNTCP centre on alternative days to take the medicine in front of the officer. This is to ensure that no patient skips a dose — this was one of the major reasons behind the rising number of drug-resistant TB cases,” said the official.
The BMC has already appointed 25 TB officers for 24 wards, with an extra officer in case of contingencies.
The 1,000-bed hospital was inaugurated in 1942, and at any given time, has more than an 800-bed occupancy.