Peripheral hospitals in a makeover mode….Dhanya Nair

Civic body gears up to install high-end medical equipment in peripheral hospitals

In a bid to spruce up peripheral hospitals in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to install high-end equipment in these hospitals. The Standing Committee is expected to discuss the purchases on Saturday.

After facing criticism for not taking any steps to upgrade the facilities at these hospitals, the BMC is now planning to install high frequency mobile C-arm image intensifiers and key instruments required for performing surgery in four hospitals — Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon, KB Bhabha Hospital in Bandra, Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar and MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund.

According to the sources, if the proposal is passed, the civic body will shell out Rs 39, 76,112 for purchasing these equipment. “Though most of the peripheral hospitals have necessary equipment, we need to constantly upgrade them. As some of the equipment are very old, they need to be changed. If the step taken by the civic body is successful, we can bring the peripheral hospitals also on par with the civic hospitals in the city,” said Dr Seema Malik, BMC’s in-charge of peripheral hospitals.

Added to this, the civic body will also install A-Scan biometers in Cooper Hospital, V N Desai Hospital in Santacruz, MV Desai Hospital in Malad, Shatabadi Hospital in Kandivali, Shatabadi Hospital in Govandi and Maa Hospital in Chembur, said sources. An A-scan biometer is worth Rs 14, 44, 500 and the civic body will set up a unit in each of these hospitals, the sources added.

After facing flak for not stocking essential medicines in peripheral hospitals, the BMC had decided to open up 24/7 pharmacies in these hospitals last week. The civic officials feel if the proposal for installing upgraded equipment is passed, it will be another plus for them. “It’s wrong to say that peripheral hospitals do not have essential medicines. We’ve already set aside Rs 44 crore for the development of peripheral hospitals, because ultimately we want our patients to receive all kinds of benefits. I hope the proposal sees the light of the day,” said Malik.

To provide treatments to a large turn out of trauma patients in peripheral hospitals, the civic body is also planning to set up trauma care emergency patient transfer units (Trolleys) also. “Invariably, we have noticed that most trauma patients usually come to peripheral hospitals. Trauma cases have increased by leaps and bounds. The Trolleys will definitely come in handy,” said Malik.

URL:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Peripheral-hospitals-in-a-makeover-mode/368742