Rajawadi Hospital Faces 30% Doctor Shortage

Mumbai's Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar is facing a severe shortage of Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) in its Department of Medicine, with a single doctor handling 400-500 patients during a shift.

The hospital is experiencing a 30% shortage of doctors, which is putting excessive pressure on the available medical staff. Former BMC Leader of Opposition Pravin Chheda has written to the BMC Additional Municipal Commissioner (City & Health) seeking urgent deployment of additional RMOs.

Chheda warned that the shortage could affect patient care, particularly during the monsoon season when cases of dengue, malaria, and leptospirosis increase. He alleged that the shortage is resulting in long queues and putting additional pressure on the existing medical staff.

Rajawadi Hospital is a key healthcare facility serving residents of Mumbai's eastern suburbs, with a daily footfall of around 2,500-3,000 patients in its OPD. The hospital also admits around 125 patients daily to its inpatient department (IPD).

The high patient load, coupled with the reported shortage of medical staff, has raised concerns over overcrowding and the need for strengthening and modernising the facility. Chheda has urged the BMC headquarters to take immediate steps to reinforce the Medicine Department and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.

An administrative official from the hospital confirmed the 30% shortage of doctors in the Medicine Department. The official said that the existing doctors are facing additional workload and pressure due to the rise in patient numbers during the monsoon.

The hospital has also reported the deaths of three newborns in a single day, raising serious questions about the hospital's neonatal care system and the availability of healthcare facilities. The incident has triggered discussions about the need for improved healthcare services in the city.

The BMC has been urged to take immediate action to address the shortage of doctors and ensure that patients receive proper care. The hospital's administration has been criticized for allowing multiple doctors to remain on leave simultaneously, which has exacerbated the shortage.

The situation at Rajawadi Hospital highlights the need for improved healthcare infrastructure and staffing in Mumbai. The city's residents deserve better healthcare services, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that they receive it.

In conclusion, the doctor shortage at Rajawadi Hospital is a serious concern that needs to be addressed immediately. The BMC and the hospital administration must work together to reinforce the Medicine Department and ensure that patients receive proper care. The city's residents are counting on them to provide better healthcare services.