20 August,2026 12:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
During the inspection, Ritu Tawde visited several departments and interacted with patients and hospital staff. Pic/Special Arrangement
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde conducted a surprise inspection of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal Hospital in Jogeshwari East on Wednesday evening (August 19), reviewing medical services, patient facilities and hospital operations.
During the inspection, Tawde visited several departments and interacted with patients and hospital staff. She directed the administration to address gaps in patient services and ensure that essential facilities are available without unnecessary delays.
Tawde first inspected the registration counter for the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana on the ground floor of the hospital. The counter currently operates from 8 am to 4 pm.
The mayor directed the hospital administration to keep the registration counter operational round the clock so that patients seeking treatment under the scheme do not face difficulties outside the existing working hours.
She also instructed officials to ensure that patients holding Ayushman cards are not asked to submit additional documents unnecessarily. The direction was aimed at reducing delays for beneficiaries seeking treatment at the hospital.
Tawde subsequently inspected the accident department and intensive care unit before visiting patient wards on the ninth and 10th floors.
Her inspection included the paediatric, women's and men's medical departments. During her interaction with patients, she sought feedback on the services being provided by doctors and nurses and asked whether patients were facing difficulties while receiving treatment.
The mayor also asked patients about the availability of medicines, the quality of food being served and the cleanliness of the hospital premises.
As part of the inspection, Tawde personally checked the food being served to patients. She directed the hospital administration to improve the quality of food served to patients immediately.
The mayor's visit focused on basic patient-care services, including access to medicines, medical attention, food, cleanliness and registration facilities.
Following her inspection of various departments and discussions with patients, Tawde instructed hospital officials to address shortcomings in the delivery of services.
The directions covered both patient-facing facilities and day-to-day hospital operations. The administration was asked to ensure that patients can access essential services without avoidable delays and that facilities meant for beneficiaries of government health schemes function effectively.
The inspection comes as part of efforts to review the functioning of municipal healthcare facilities and identify issues affecting patients at the point of service. Tawde's visit also provided an opportunity to assess conditions in wards and other areas directly used by patients.
