Mumbai: Deep cleaning drive falls short as major BMC hospitals still struggle with hygiene

A stray dog sleeping within Sion Hospital’s premises, raising concerns over hygiene and infection risk

A special deep-cleaning drive was conducted across all BMC hospitals between November 6 and 20 under the Swachata Pakhwada initiative, with the civic body claiming its goal was to make facilities "infection-free and patient-friendly." But a mid-day reality check across four major civic hospitals, Cooper, KEM, Sion and Nair, revealed that despite surface-level improvements, core hygiene issues remain unresolved. Garbage piles, debris, scrap material, paan stains and stray animals continue to be a part of the daily hospital environment.

The inspection exposed a persistent problem: A combination of poor civic sense among visitors and inconsistent upkeep. The result is a repeated failure to maintain basic hygiene inside the city's busiest public hospitals.

Reporter Observations

Cooper hospital

Garbage was seen right at the entrance, with cats roaming the premises. Paan stains marked the walls and drinking water areas.

Garbage scattered across Cooper Hospital's premises even after the fortnight-long cleaning campaign

Scrap dumped at Cooper Hospital's entrance, contradicting officials' claims of improved cleanliness

A neglected area behind Cooper's OPD waiting section, where trash continues to accumulate

Garbage and poor upkeep around the ambulance bay at Cooper Hospital, critical emergency zone

KEM Hospital

Scrap material lay dumped along ward passages, and garbage was found in nooks and corners. Only the dean's office area was well maintained. The CVTC building walls were stained with paan marks.

Fresh paan stains on the CVTC Building at KEM Hospital, highlighting continued spitting inside the campus. pics/Ritika Gondhalekar

Scrap and garbage lying in the ground-floor passage of KEM Hospital's main building, untouched during the drive

The first-floor corridor at KEM Hospital, where scrap remained despite the deep cleaning exercise

Nair Hospital

Gaps and corners were splattered with spit stains. Scrap and raw construction material were dumped outside the non-functional lifts in the OPD building.

The staircase to Nair Hospital's psychiatry ward, where spit stains and grime remain despite the deep cleaning drive

The view from the waiting area outside Psychiatry Ward at Nair Hospital, where clutter and poor maintenance persist

Construction debris, raw material dumped in the OPD lobby at Nair Hospital, even after the BMC's special cleaning initiative

Sion Hospital

Debris and construction scraps were found across several areas. Stray dogs were seen napping inside wards. Washrooms, however, were noticeably cleaner than usual.

Unattended scrap piled inside Sion Hospital's premises, contradicting claims of thorough cleaning

Patients Speak

Sushil Jadhav, KEM Hospital visitor, Monday
‘At least the floors and OPDs looked cleaner compared to last month. We didn't even know a cleanliness drive was conducted. But there is still garbage in some parts of the hospital.'

Abhishek Singh, Sion Hospital visitor, Tuesday
‘Stray cats and dogs can still be seen roaming around the premises, and sometimes inside the wards. Hospitals must be made stray-free because these animals carry diseases.'

Maya Trivedi, Nair Hospital visitor, Tuesday
‘Paan stains are everywhere. People don't understand that they shouldn't spit, especially inside a hospital. Even with a mask on, we don't feel safe.'

Piyush Mishra, Cooper Hospital visitor, Monday
‘From stray animals to garbage, no one would believe a deep cleaning drive happened. What exactly did they clean? Maybe they just emptied the overflowing garbage bins. I visit often and I don't see any major improvement.'

Voices from the system

Dr YB Chavan, Professor and in-charge of the deep-cleaning drive at KEM Hospital

‘During the drive, we divided the campus, hostels, dean's bungalow and other premises such as the CVTC building into 10 to 12 zones. Each zone had different in-charges. We also categorised the type of garbage. For instance, keepers were responsible for clearing waterlogging and garbage from time to time, maintenance and electrical engineers had to ensure no electrical waste was left unattended, and civil engineers were tasked with handling wood and other debris. We agree that not everything has been cleaned. Patients and their relatives are also responsible for the continuous garbage. The drive did alert the staff. Debris that earlier took two or three months to clear is now removed within days. The process to discard instruments and other material is lengthy because of bureaucracy involved.'

Dr Devdas Shetty, Medical superintendent, Cooper Hospital

‘As part of the deep cleaning drive, walls, glass and floors were cleaned thoroughly. Unfortunately, so many people come to the hospital daily that it's difficult to conduct deep cleaning every day. However, we get the hospital cleaned thrice a day.'

Dr Shailesh Mohite, Dean, Nair Hospital

‘Cleaning is not the problem. But doing it constantly needs manpower, which all civic hospitals lack. Also, disposing of scrap is not easy due to lengthy bureaucratic process. And, maintaining of the facilities is a big task given the number of patients the hospital caters to daily.'

Sharad Ughade, Deputy municipal commissioner, Health

‘We have appointed an independent inspection agency to audit and submit a report on this deep cleaning drive. Once we get that report, we can know more. The agency was appointed to ensure there is no bias whatsoever.'

Dr Mohan Joshi, Dean, Sion Hospital

‘As part of the deep cleaning drive, all premises including the maintenance building, hostels and other areas were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We have also begun the process of scrapping old material. Things take time given the size of the hospital. We also have an NGO that works every Sunday to spread awareness about cleanliness among patients' relatives.'

Dr Jamila Khan, Health activist

‘The only practical solution is that officials work meticulously and sincerely. Appointing cleanliness marshals, ensuring no one litters, providing enough garbage bins and maintaining adequate water supply in washrooms will help.'