MBMC in cover-up mode over hosp death

The death of a 17-year-old girl, admitted to the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Civic Hospital in Bhayandar, allegedly due to negligence has exposed the fragile health care facilities provided by the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC).

Suffering from fever, Vaishali Dumbre (17) had visited the hospital on Monday. It has been alleged that doctors were unavailable and a few nurses who were present got her admitted and initiated primary treatment.

Finally, at around 9 pm, doctors advised her family to shift her to Centenary Hospital in Kandivali as her platelet count and blood pressure had dropped sharply. While the girl was being shifted, her condition worsened and she was taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

While the kin of the deceased hold the doctors at the MBMC hospital responsible for her death, the authorities gave a stereotype reply that a probe was on into the matter.

“I have already ordered the deputy civic chief to conduct a probe and table a report. I am personally looking into the matter, action will be taken accordingly,” said civic chief Dr Naresh Gite.

With an average occupancy rate of 65%, the 100-bed hospital is not only illequipped but is facing an acute staff crunch posing immense difficulties to patients.

With just five casualty medical officers and an equal number of consultants on the pay-roll, the hospital does not have a single ICU for emergency cases.

“The hospital is in transition mode and will shortly be taken over by the state paving way for an expansion and upgradation of services,” said an MBMC officer.

When contacted Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik said that he would take up the issue with the health minister. “Patients come to the MBMC hospital with hope. The civic administration should ensure that they get timely and proper treatment,” said BJP corporator Dipika Arora.

Condemning the fatal lapse which led to the death of the girl, Shiv Sena corporator Neelam Dhawan has demanded a detailed probe into the matter, otherwise her party will have no option but to launch an agitation in true Sena style.