Second Leadership Change in Months
Mumbai: BMC-run Dr R.N. Cooper Hospital is preparing to appoint a new acting dean within the next week, marking the second leadership change in recent months. The move follows the assault on three duty doctors inside the hospital’s casualty ward last week, prompting urgent administrative action.
Decision Finalised After High-Level Meeting
The reshuffle was confirmed during a meeting between senior civic officials and cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on Wednesday. Dr Neelam Andrade, head of BYL Nair Dental Hospital and former acting dean of Cooper, said the hospital needs someone who can focus on the institute full-time.
Recent Assault Highlights Safety Concerns
Medical Dialogues earlier reported that a Casualty Medical Officer, a resident doctor, and an intern were attacked by relatives of a deceased patient while on duty. The incident intensified demands for stronger security and better administrative oversight.
Permanent Appointment Blocked by Ongoing Probe
According to The Times of India, the hospital cannot appoint a permanent dean due to an ongoing inquiry against former dean Dr Sudhir Medhekar. He faces allegations of irregularities in multipurpose worker contracts but denies wrongdoing, claiming he is being targeted for exposing corruption. He currently functions only as academic dean.
Minister Lodha Flags Systemic Issues at BMC Hospitals
The decision also follows Minister Lodha’s inspection of KEM Hospital on Monday, where he criticised delays in MRI appointments, long outpatient queues, and the absence of an online registration system. He said immediate corrective steps are required across BMC hospitals.
Persistent Shortages Across BMC-Run Hospitals
Senior doctors have stated that chronic issues—including staff shortages, delays in critical services, and medicine unavailability—remain unaddressed across the four BMC-run medical college hospitals. Despite Lodha’s visit, many believe core challenges were not adequately discussed.
Assurance of Reforms at KEM Hospital
MLA Ameet Satam said measures will be implemented within 15 days to resolve medicine shortages at KEM Hospital. A senior BMC official also said hospitals have the authority to make local purchases as needed to avoid critical shortages.
New Registration Counters to Improve Patient Flow
To ease long queues, the civic body will establish 10 new registration centres at KEM Hospital. Officials expect this move to streamline the patient registration process significantly.
