Government Admits Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital Has Only 6 of 17 Sanctioned Doctors
The Maharashtra Government admitted on July 2, 2026, that the Department of Medicine at the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari, Mumbai, is facing an acute shortage of doctors, operating with only six medical officers against a sanctioned strength of 17. The admission came in a written reply to a Starred Question in the Maharashtra Legislative Council after MLCs Pravin Darekar and Prasad Lad raised concerns about treatment delays and inadequate facilities at the civic-run hospital.
The government revealed that the shortage worsened after two doctors resigned in March 2026. To manage the vacancy, medical officers from other departments are being deployed to the Department of Medicine on a rotational basis to ensure that patient services continue without disruption.
The shortage has led to verbal complaints from patients and their relatives regarding delays in receiving timely treatment. Despite these complaints, the government maintained that the available doctors continue to provide services. It noted that blood tests, conducted through the BMC-appointed agency Lifeinity, as well as X-ray and sonography examinations, are still being carried out on time.
In addition to the staff shortage, the government confirmed that the hospital's CT scan machine has been out of service since April 25, 2026, and is currently undergoing repairs. Until the machine is restored, patients requiring CT scans are being referred to Cooper Hospital, with the Jogeshwari hospital providing ambulance transportation.
Legislators had alleged that the hospital's healthcare services had virtually collapsed due to inadequate manpower and malfunctioning equipment. They claimed the 200-bed hospital receives 500 to 1,000 outpatient department (OPD) patients, admits around 100 patients, and performs four to five surgeries daily.
The government rejected the claim of a total collapse and clarified that the hospital actually has 266 beds. It stated that the facility receives 500 to 750 outpatients daily, admits approximately 25 to 30 patients each day, and continues to perform surgeries regularly.
To address the manpower deficit, the government stated that the hospital has engaged doctors on a contractual basis. It also noted that doctors' attendance is monitored through a biometric system, and no instances of habitual absenteeism have been found.
