For the last three years, a state-of-the-art neurosurgical operation theatre (OT) is lying locked and unused at the HBT medical college and Dr RN Cooper Municipal medical college and general hospital in Vile Parle, because no class 3 and 4 staffers, who make up the support team, are available to assist neurosurgeons.

The OT is located on the third floor of the new building, and according to hospital sources, has all facilities required to carry out any supra major neurosurgical procedure, with an attached post-operative area. In addition the space, the high-end equipment — worth approximately R7 crore — in it are also not being utilised, with only the microscope and a drill for opening the skull being used whenever needed by being moved to the ENT or general OT.