Mumbai: Hospital in ruins, Aarey locals ask: are we not humans?

The Aarey hospital is in dilapidated condition, with no medical equipment. The locals also complained about the poor state of the roads in the area. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Why has the government deprived us of healthcare? Do they not care for the lives of over 40,000 of us," asked aggrieved residents of Aarey. mid-day visited Aarey hospital, which caters to mostly tribals, on Thursday and found the facility in ruins.

Chunks of plaster are falling off walls and ceilings. Forget about fire fighting system, the hospital is not even waterproof, with leakages at multiple spots. Though the 51-year-old medical facility has around 25 beds, most rooms are locked while others are stuffed with scraps.

"Are we not human beings? Whether it is a leopard attack or snakebite or any other health emergency, we have no option but to die due to the non-availability of medical facilities in the vicinity. Moreover, roads here are so bad that it takes time to reach other hospitals, outside of Aarey. The government never pays heed to our welfare," said Pramila Prakash Bhoir, a resident of Keltipada.

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Opened in 1971, the only hospital in Aarey has been running only outpatient department (OPD) for a few years now. This correspondent went to the hospital posing as a patient and spoke one of the employees. He said, "No patient has been admitted here since the past eight to 10 years. Only OPD patients are treated here now and it runs from 8 am to 2 pm. There is only one doctor and one nurse."

Ghanshyam Gusar, 40, another resident of Aarey said, "I remember my grandpa getting operated on here. Many women gave birth in this hospital, and accident patients have been treated. But nothing is left here now. There are no injections and no infrastructure. The roads are so bad that even ambulance or auto drivers refuse to come here. How are people in extreme pain or who are very ill expected to reach this or any other hospital on time for treatment?"

He added, "The day of the leopard attack, the doctor of the SevenHills Hospital told us that we were 10 minutes late. There was a chance that girl might have been lived if we reached on time."

Aarey spread over 16 sq km area has a population of more than 40,000, including 28 tribal helmets, but the healthcare is nonexistent. Siraj Salema, a cattle farm owner, said, "It seems the government is least bothered about the people of Aarey or else the Aarey hospital would have been operational today. During a medical emergency, we have to rush the patient to either SevenHills Hospital or a BMC-run trauma centre."

A former employee, requesting anonymity, said, "There was a time when the hospital was treating TB and leprosy patients, and had anti-venom to save a life in golden hours. But there is nothing now. The hospital building is dilapidated, there are no lights at the entrance and the doctor works with just a nurse and one or two helpers. The government is responsible for this and there is an urgent need to revive this hospital for the people of Aarey."

Aarey CEO Dr Subhash Dalvi mid-day, "Currently only OPD is operational. We will do a follow-up to revive the hospital." When mid-day asked Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburb Mangal Prabhat Lodha about the revival of the hospital, he said, "As a guardian minister, I went to Aarey and spoke to the officials. I have called up a meeting of Aarey officials and we will do whatever is necessary and required."