Minister Abitkar tells officials to expedite Thane Civil Hospital reconstruction

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Wednesday instructed officials to expedite the remaining reconstruction work of Thane District Civil Hospital TDCH which is expected to be completed by the end of December news agency PTI reportedDuring an inspection of the underconstruction facility Abitkar expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in setting up the independent power supply systemTDCH one of the regionrsquos key healthcare centres is being rebuilt to offer modern upgraded medical services The new complex will include a 900bed facility comprising a 500bed general hospital a 200bed womenrsquos hospital and a 200bed referral hospital reported PTICivil Surgeon Dr Kailash Pawar reported that 90 per cent of the construction is complete with advanced equipment installation and internal electrification currently underwayldquoThe project will likely conclude by Decemberend following which 1078 new medical and administrative positions will be created to strengthen healthcare services for citizens in Thane Raigad and nearby districtsrdquo he addedThe minister also reviewed the helipad construction meant for air ambulance operations PTI reportedSecurity to be heightened at Mumbais civic hospitalsIn the aftermath of the recent security lapse at Cooper Hospital wherein three doctors were assaulted by the kin of a patient after the latter was declared dead the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has initiated a systemwide review of safety protocols across all its hospitalsDeputy Municipal Commissioner Public Health Sharad Ughade in a meeting conducted late on Monday issued a formal communication to assistant security officers officials responsible for security at civic hospitals seeking detailed recommendations on security changes required at each hospital mdash from peripheral to major civic hospitals across the cityHospital deans and medical superintendents have been directed to assess existing arrangements identify vulnerabilities and propose both immediate and longterm upgrades ldquoThe objective is to develop hospitalspecific security plans instead of a uniform model acknowledging that infrastructure patient load and spatial challenges vary significantly across BMC establishmentsrdquo Ughade told middayParallel discussions are underway on whether Maharashtra Security Force MSF personnel can be deployed if not at all at least at larger peripheral hospitals Currently MSF has a presence only at three major BMC hospitals mdash KEM Nair and Sion hospitals ldquoExtending its services is being considered as a measure to ensure trained and disciplined manpower at highfootfall facilities Feasibility cost implications and deployment logistics are being discussedrdquo Ughade addedIn addition all BMC hospitals have been instructed to maintain a weekly log of security lapses and submit compiled reports to the deputy municipal commissioner every month The move aims to create regular oversight improve accountability and enable datadriven decisions on security improvementsMeanwhile action has been initiated against staff linked to the incident at Cooper Hospital Three security guards who were on duty at the time have been terminated following an internal review Officials stated that further administrative measures if required will be taken after the comprehensive inquiry report is finalisedWith PTI inputs