Workers lament poor quality and quantity of meals even as BMC spends R25,000 every day on “nutritious” food
BMC has been spending over Rs 91 lakh every year since 2013 to provide nutritious food to workers at one of the biggest TB hospital in India, Sewri TB Hospital. The endeavour is aimed at enhancing immune systems of these workers, who otherwise run the risk of contracting the disease. But dismal quality of the food offered is making hundreds of workers vulnerable to infection.
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Poha and banana given to workers on Wednesday
As per data obtained from the hospital — which draws around 25,000 TB patients a year — 50 workers have succumbed to the disease since 2005 and hundreds have been infected. In a bid to boost their immune systems, BMC decided to offer nutritious food to Class IV employees, under the Sakas Ahar programme. But despite an increase in the per plate cost (from Rs 10 to Rs 25), the quality of food being provided is miserable.
On Wednesday, officials from Municipal Mazdoor Union (MMU), Mumbai, met the hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Jagdish Keni, to demand better food for workers. “As per BMC’s diet chart, workers are entitled to two omelettes with bread, poha, milk and banana. But workers have received one boiled egg, poha and a banana. Also, instead of 100 ml milk, only 50 ml is given,” said MMU secretary Pradeep Narkar.
The responsibility of catering is given on a contractual basis. These caterers prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner, inside hospital premises. “BMC is paying Rs 25 per plate. So, considering there are 1,000 staffers in three shifts, BMC is spending Rs 25,000 every day on food. The quantity and quality of food, however, doesn’t improve,” said an employee from the hospital.
TB scare
According to a senior doctor, any person with weak immunity is susceptible to TB. In the current year, 18 staffers — including a ward assistant, two nurses, one clerk and 14 Class IV employees — are undergoing treatment for TB. “Out of the 18, seven are taking treatment for drug-resistant TB, after their infection relapsed,” Narkar informed.
No time to rest
In January, the standing committee of BMC reduced the time allowed for resting from 24 months to 9 months. “A TB patient needs to rest for at least 24 months. If they join sooner, it could adversely affect patients. But now, as per BMC’s new rules, staffers have to either return in 9 months or risk losing their salaries,” a nurse from the hospital said.
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