Mumbai News: KEM Hospital Refutes Viral Water-Logging Claims In Patient Areas; Bombay HC Seeks Monsoon Preparedness Timeline
Mumbai: The civic-run KEM Hospital in Parel on Monday told the Bombay High Court that reports of water-logging in its corridors following heavy rainfall last month were “misleading”, claiming that there was only a temporary “accumulation of rainwater” that receded quickly.
The clarification came in response to the HC’s concern over videos and media reports showing flooded hospital corridors on May 26, when the city experienced intense rain and gusty winds. The court had subsequently directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to inspect the hospital and suggest remedial measures.
In an affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne, KEM Hospital Dean Dr. Sangeeta Ravat said that there was no water-logging in patient care areas, and the reports of patients sitting in ankle-deep water were “completely misleading” and “contrary to the situation at site”.
“Critical patient care areas such as wards, radiology department, MRI and X-Ray rooms remained completely unaffected and the hospital operations continued without any disruption,” the affidavit stated. It also noted that 19 MRIs, 120 CT scans, and 270 X-rays were successfully conducted on May 26 despite the rain.
Dr. Ravat clarified that the rainwater had accumulated only in the open ground floor corridor due to the hospital’s east-to-west sloping topography and its location in a catchment area. “The waterlogged area was neither the waiting area for patients nor any treatment is given to patients in the said area,” the affidavit said, which was filed through BMC advocate Akshay Shinde.
The hospital administration said it has now installed a temporary shed across the open corridor to prevent rainwater ingress and has enhanced suction pump capacity to ensure faster drainage. The Solid Waste Department (SWD) and hospital staff are also undertaking regular cleaning of internal and external drains during the monsoon.
The court asked the civic body and the hospital administration to inform it within a week about the timeline for implementing short-term remedial measures.
Meanwhile, the HC also took note of a report submitted by a five-member expert committee formed to examine infrastructure and facilities at government medical colleges and hospitals in Maharashtra, especially in light of the infant deaths at hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in October 2023.
Government Pleader P.P Kakade informed the court that the committee had visited both hospitals and submitted its report with short-term and long-term recommendations.
The bench asked the state to inform by next week when the short-term measures would be implemented.
Recommendations by committee
A. Short Term Measures
1. Recognition of the Extra Working Beds
2. Strengthening drugs availability and delivery system
• 100% Release of the Budget for Drugs Instead of Quarterly Release
• The Rate Contract for various Emergency and Non-Emergency
Drugs
3. Ensuring recruitment and availability of qualified and trained Manpower
• Availability in the High-Risk care areas:
• Availability of the Manpower through Speedy Recruitment Process
and departmental promotions:
4. Availability of Specialized Services at All GMCs
5. Skill-Based Training for the Specialized Services
B. Long Term Measures
1. Availability of 24x7 Radiology and Laboratory Services
2. Strengthening of the Primary & Secondary Services
3. Creation of the Maternal & Child Health Wing at Each District
4. Referral Policy for the Private Hospitals
5. Effective utilization of the Healthcare delivery System in the State of
Maharashtra
6. Increased Budgetary Allocation
7. Involvement and strengthening of the Urban Healthcare system
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