The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has instructed the four civic-run medical college hospitals to open out-patient department (OPD) registrations at 7 am to prevent overcrowding.

“Delays in opening the OPD are resulting in long waiting periods for patients,” said Dr Sudhakar Shinde, additional municipal commissioner (health). A circular to this effect was released on Tuesday, directing Sion, KEM, Nair and Cooper hospitals to open their OPDs promptly at 8 am.