Mumbai's Nair Hospital to set up city's first dedicated Disaster Management Ward

The new facility at Nair Hospital, on Monday. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

Nair Hospital is set to establish the city's first dedicated Disaster Management Ward, a specialised facility aimed at treating victims of mass casualty incidents such as building collapses, train accidents, fires, and other major emergencies. Hospital authorities said the ward is expected to become operational within the next six months.

New casualty ward inaugurated

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Monday inaugurated the new Casualty Building at BYL Nair Hospital in the presence of senior officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and hospital administrators. The facility includes a plaster room for Ortho cases, mini operation theatre for basic sutures and casualty-related operations, and pediatric treatment.

‘Faster, organised treatment'

Dr Shailesh Mohite, dean, Nair Hospital
‘The proposed ward is being developed to strengthen the city's disaster preparedness and ensure faster, more organised treatment during emergencies when multiple patients are brought to the hospital simultaneously. At present, victims of disasters are accommodated in the existing casualty and trauma units, often putting immense pressure on emergency services.'

Ready, but used for heart care

While the ward is ready in terms of medical equipment, it is currently being used as a cardiac ward due to the ongoing renovation works at the original cardiac ward. "The main medical apparatus is burn care, oxygen lines, cardiac monitors, and ventilator, which have already been installed in view of running a cardiac ward. So once the original cardiac ward is ready for patients, this ward will be converted into the dedicated disaster ward. Also, during regular days, when there is no mass casualty or emergency situation, as this ward will be equipped with all medical facilities, it will be used to treat incoming regular traumas and cases needing immediate intensive care," said Dr Mohite. This is currently at 15-bed ward which will be later become a 20-bed disaster ward.

Mayor Speak

Ritu Tawde, Mumbai Mayor
‘The upgraded casualty block features expanded emergency treatment areas, additional observation beds, dedicated trauma bays, improved patient triage facilities, and modern diagnostic support.

[popcorn number="20" desc="No of beds the Disaster Management Ward will have" class="Default"]