17 April,2026 04:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai civic chief Ashwini Bhide reviewed the facilities at KEM Hospital on Friday. PIC/BMC
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Friday directed the administration of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital to make concerted efforts for the effective implementation of the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS).
She asked all department heads to regularly review the data and dashboards generated under the HMIS and ensure that health services for patients become easily accessible and technology-friendly.
Bhide directed the hospital administration to integrate Central and state government schemes with HMIS so that patients can avail their benefits in minimum possible time.
The BMC Commissioner visited the hospital on Friday and reviewed various aspects including hospital redevelopment, implementation of health schemes, efforts to reduce load on primary health services, and capacity expansion works.
During the visit, she inspected the registration counter, intensive care unit (ICU), male general ward, and casualty (accident) department. She also took stock of ongoing projects, infrastructure development, new building constructions, increase in bed strength, and capacity enhancement of various medical departments.
At the registration counter, Bhide personally understood the working of the HMIS and reviewed how patient registration, medical tests, and reports are being integrated into the system. She similarly reviewed patient registration, treatment records, and medical reports in the male ward.
She was briefed about the facilities being provided in the casualty and ICU departments.
Bhide directed the hospital administration to overcome the challenges faced in HMIS implementation and make the system more effective and patient-centric. She stressed the need to give priority to patient-friendly services under the HMIS.
For hospital redevelopment and capacity expansion, she asked the administration to plan meticulously so that multiple services are available under one roof for the convenience of patients. She suggested that integrated operation theatre complex and pathology laboratory should be housed together to save patients' time.
Bhide also asked officials to explore the possibility of creating underground spaces in new buildings for heavy equipment like MRI and CT scan machines.
She instructed the administration to make efforts to introduce advanced multi-specialty robotic surgery facilities in the operation theatre through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding.
The commissioner directed that government schemes such as Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and PM-Rahat scheme for accident victims should be effectively implemented so that admitted patients can avail their benefits. She also asked to rationalise charges for other schemes on the lines of the Phule Jan Arogya Yojana to increase hospital revenue.
To reduce the burden on KEM Hospital, Bhide instructed that patients requiring primary and secondary care should be diverted to nearby dispensaries and peripheral hospitals. She emphasised strengthening services at suburban hospitals, maternity homes, and dispensaries.
She also directed revival of the linkage system for smooth referral of patients between peripheral and major hospitals.
The meeting was attended by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade, KEM Hospital dean Dr Sangeeta Rawat, and heads of various departments.
