Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) keeps working towards consolidating its healthcare centre. With its unique methodologies and procuring of the latest machineries and equipment the medical services of its four major medical colleges and hospitals have been improved, says Sunil Dhamne, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Public Health Department, MCGM, in conversation with Harshal Yashwant Desai of Elets New Network (ENN).
Q: Looking at the mammoth task of catering to a huge population of metropolitan city like Mumbai in terms of healthcare, how would you define the significance of MCGM?
MCGM indeed caters to a huge populace in this metropolitan city. It has the responsibility to cater to the health delivery services to entire Mumbai city. As per Section 61 of M.M.C. Act, it is the obligatory duty of the Corporation to provide, establish, and maintain public hospitals and dispensaries and carrying out measures necessary for public medical relief (Sec.61 (gg)).
Q: What strategy is applied towards proper training of the staff at MCGM-run Hospitals? Are there any special measures undertaken for it?
It is indeed a vital task. Continuous medical education is the requirement for renewal of the registration of doctors with Medical Council of India. Training is arranged by major hospitals and the experts in the fields are the resource persons for these trainings.
Q: How have medical services evolved over the years, especially in four major medical colleges and hospitals?
Over the years it has been successful in catering to a wide range of public through its healthcare delivery system. Medical services of the four Major Medical Colleges and hospitals have been consistently improved by procuring the latest machineries and equipment. To mention a few — D.S.A., Cardiac Cath Lab, Ventilators, M.R.I. machines have been procured.
Q: Some of the states are witnessing Swine Flu cases. How MCGM has geared up itself to combat the virus in a city frequented by such a floating population in lakhs?
Swine Flu is controlled by administering vacancies to high-risk patients and to the staff working with the Swine Flu patients. Robust I.E.C. is done. This has resulted in the decrease in the incidents of Swine Flu in Mumbai City.
Q: MCGM had plans to issue health cards to all patients in civic hospitals. Please tell us about it.
Health Cards will be issued to every patient. This will enable the patient as well as the doctors to track the medical history and all the reports, treatment given, across all the health facilities in the Mumbai once the H.M.I.S. Project is rolled fully.
Also read: Maharashtra private hospitals directed to accept demonetised currency notes
H.M.I.S. Project is being rolled out in four phases. Up till now, first phase is completed and second phase is being implemented.
Q: What are the major challenges the department faces while executing overall healthcare services within its hospitals?
The major challenge MCGM facilities have to face is the overcrowding in the hospitals, particularly during the monsoon. To ease out the patients load, mechanism to send the economically weaker and indigent patient to the Public Trust Hospitals is being worked out.
Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter , Instagram.