BMC-run V N Desai Hospital in Mumbai may suspend in-patient services within a week or two for structural repairs; OPDs to function through temporary porta-clinics on premises

Mumbai: BMC-run V N Desai Hospital in Santacruz East is likely to suspend in-patient services within a week or two for structural repairs, while continuing daily OPDs through three temporary porta-clinics in its compound. The move, stalled last month after opposition from local corporators, follows the hospital infrastructure committee (HIC) recommendations.

The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Mayura Nagle, said, “We are first making all the arrangements before fixing a final date. It is likely that we will be shutting it down late next week or the week after that.”She further said electrical work remains, requiring power supply to be shut. “The decision has been taken by the BMC administration on HIC recommendations. The building is in a risky state; there are nets put up to prevent any injuries to human life,” Dr Nagle added.

The hospital admits 25 to 30 patients daily with 800 to 1,000 OPD consultations across general medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics and ophthalmology. Dr Nagle said there is space for three porta-clinics, which HIC will provide within the compound, and a handful of additional ambulances are being arranged for.

Patients who require emergency admission will be sent to Bandra’s K B Bhabha Hospital — which has 436 beds — in an ambulance with a medical doctor.