Doctors of swanky BMC hospital operate with fans on after AC conks off

A newly-built BMC hospital in Kandivali equipped with state-of-the-art facilities is conducting surgeries in one of its operation theatres with just fans running ever since its air-conditioner broke down last week. The problem is not only exposing patients to infections due to the heat, it has also led to several surgeries being postponed.

The Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal General Hospital, or Shatabdi Hospital, is regularly in the news for breakdowns in its infrastructure. Since its inauguration in September last year, it has been facing problems like acute shortage of staff and long queues for MRIs and CT scans.

According to senior doctors, the air-conditioner in the OT belonging to the orthopedic department has conked off. "The AC stopped working 6 days ago. We have informed the concerned department to get it repaired at the earliest," said a senior doctor from the department. The OT is used for around 6 to 7 surgeries a day. However, with the AC not functioning, the department is postponing most surgeries and proceeding with only emergency cases.

"The AC plays a key role in the OT. High temperatures and humidity are conducive for growth of bacteria. The AC helps prevent infection," said another senior doctor from the department, adding that the department is conducting surgeries with just fans for ventilation.

The AC is not the only problem. "Another major hindrance is the shortage of aprons we wear during surgery. We are literally rationing them," said the doctor.

Dr Mangesh Budkar, the hospital's deputy medical superintendent, said: "There is a technical problem. Our technicians are trying their best to fix it at the earliest."

In May 5, a part of the false ceiling of the hospital's x-ray department came off, after which a component of the x-ray machine fell on a patient. The 342-bed hospital was inaugurated with much fanfare as a peripheral facility besides Bhagwati Hospital to cater to residents living between Nalasopara and Jogeshwari. However, postgraduate students of surgery and paediatrics are being routed to the hospital to support its scanty staff.