Mumbai residents take initiative

The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Hospital in Vikhroli, Mumbai is in dire need of urgent repairs for a year now and inspite of the regular complaints filed by residents, no action has yet been taken. Taking matters into their own hands, the Vikhroli Nagarik Manch residents' organisation has written a letter to the BMC asking for permission to conduct ‘shramdan’ and repair the hospital. Pravin Yadav of the residents' body said that leakages induced by heavy rains force the hospital administration to shut down the operation theatre temporarily. Staff members also complain of leakages in the medical store. The hospital has a capacity of around 100 beds and caters to patients from the eastern suburbs. For temporary relief from leakages, half of the terrace has been covered with a plastic sheet. While responding to the members of the Vikhroli Nagarik Manch, the hospital's chief medical officer said that the hospital's repairs are being reviewed by the Health Infrastructure Cell (HIC). The budget proposal has been made and once the tender process is completed, the repairs will start soon. Sunita Bhalerao, a member of the Vikhroli Nagarik Manch said that if action is not taken promptly, then they will start filling the cracks in the hospital structure with the help of experts.