Minister Ashish Shelar asks BMC to modernise Mumbai’s healthcare

Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC to adopt advanced healthcare technologies and undertake comprehensive reforms to modernise the citys public health systemThe Maharashtra minister asserted that quality healthcare for Mumbaikars should remain the civic bodys top priorityChairing a highlevel review meeting on the functioning and modernisation of the BMCs Public Health Department at Sahyadri Guest House Shelar said that the civic body must review its existing healthcare processes identify gaps and submit a detailed roadmap for improving efficiency and service deliveryShelar while highlighting the improvements needed to be done in Mumbairsquos healthcare infrastructure said We are committed to providing quality healthcare to Mumbaikars The BMC should examine its administrative processes related to healthcare identify necessary reforms and adopt advanced medical technologies to make the system more efficient and contemporaryAshish Shelar directs BMC to improve OPDs and toilet facilities in BMC hospitalsAs per an official statement he also directed the civic body to improve the condition of outpatient departments OPDs and toilet facilities in municipal hospitals on a priority basis and announced that regular review meetings would now be held to monitor healthcare infrastructure and initiativesThe meeting was attended by CoGuardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde MLAs senior BMC officials and health department representatives including BMC Commissioner Ashwini BhideShelar said a separate meeting should be convened in the presence of the Maharashtra Chief Minister to resolve issues involving the State Health Department Urban Development Department and other agenciesThe Maharashtra Minister also called for a comprehensive study of all factors affecting patient care and a detailed reform plan to improve healthcare qualityBMC to integrate modern medical technologies at BMC hospitalsStressing that infrastructure expansion alone would not be enough the minister said the BMC should focus on integrating modern medical technologies and MedTech solutions to ensure its healthcare services meet national and global standardsAccording to the official statement Mayor Ritu Tawde called for the speedy filling of vacant posts in the BMC health department and suggested that contractual healthcare workers who served during the COVID19 pandemic be given priority under a onetime special recruitment policyTawde also directed the administration to fasttrack delayed redevelopment projects including Siddharth Hospital and Rajawadi Hospital and address pending issues on a war footingAmeet Satam stresses better healthcare facilities across MumbaiMLA Ameet Satam emphasised the need to improve access to healthcare across Mumbai by expanding dialysis facilities launching a citywide DiabetesFree Mumbai campaign operationalising planned cancer treatment beds and establishing dedicated mental health centresAs per the officials he also urged the BMC to prepare a comprehensive manpower strategy in anticipation of around 5000 new hospital beds expected to be added to the civic healthcare system over the coming yearsThe MLA also highlighted the need for sensitisation training for nurses OPD doctors security personnel and other frontline staff interacting directly with patients saying such initiatives would help municipal hospitals provide more compassionate respectful and efficient healthcare servicesThe review meeting underscored the BMCs plans to combine infrastructure expansion technology adoption and administrative reforms to strengthen Mumbais public healthcare system while improving patient experience and service delivery