Doctor Shortage at Ghatkopar's Rajawadi Hospital Strains Medicine Ward
Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar is experiencing an acute shortage of Resident Medical Officers in its Department of Medicine, leaving a single doctor to attend to 400 to 500 patients per shift and up to 800 patients on a recent Sunday, according to former BMC Leader of Opposition Pravin Chheda.
In a letter addressed to the BMC Additional Municipal Commissioner (City & Health), Chheda sought the urgent deployment of additional Resident Medical Officers (RMOs). He warned that the staff shortage was imposing an excessive workload on the doctors present and could adversely affect patient care.
The staffing deficit has raised serious concerns during the monsoon season, a period marked by an increase in cases of dengue, malaria, and leptospirosis. Chheda stated that the lack of adequate staff was causing long queues for treatment and placing intense pressure on available medical personnel.
Chheda said he discussed the situation with hospital superintendent Dr Bharti Rajulwar, who stated that multiple doctors being on leave simultaneously had caused the extended queues. Questioning the administration's decision to sanction simultaneous leave, Chheda termed the arrangement mismanagement and formally approached the civic body's senior health administration for immediate intervention.
An administrative official from Rajawadi Hospital confirmed that there is approximately a 30 percent shortage of doctors in the Medicine Department, noting that the seasonal influx of patients has added to the strain on the remaining staff.
Rajawadi Hospital is a major healthcare center serving residents across Mumbai's eastern suburbs. Its Outpatient Department registers a daily footfall of 2,500 to 3,000 patients, with registrations commencing at 8 am. The hospital also admits around 125 patients daily to its Inpatient Department.
The facility currently operates 596 beds, including 11 ICU beds, 20 NICU beds, 10 trauma beds, and six dialysis stations. Chheda urged BMC headquarters to reinforce the Medicine Department to maintain uninterrupted healthcare services for the large population dependent on the hospital.
