The canteen at the BMC-run Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa has been temporarily shut following a complaint that a cockroach was allegedly found in food served to a patient. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has inspected the canteen kitchen and collected food samples for examination.
Hospital authorities said the canteen will remain closed for the next two to three days. Temporary arrangements have been made to ensure that patients continue to receive meals without interruption while the FDA inspection and further action are underway.
Food Samples Collected for Examination
The action follows an incident reported on August 28, when a cockroach was allegedly found in food served to a patient at the hospital. The complaint subsequently came to the attention of the Konkan Environment and Public Welfare Society, an NGO that staged a sit-in at the dean’s chamber and demanded action against those responsible.
The incident raised concerns among patients and their relatives regarding food hygiene and safety at the hospital canteen.
Following the complaint, FDA officials inspected the canteen kitchen and reportedly identified violations of food safety norms. The canteen operations were subsequently suspended and food samples were collected for further examination.
The canteen is expected to reopen only after the FDA report is received and the required clearance is granted by the department.
Hospital Makes Alternative Meal Arrangements
Hospital officials said meals are currently being arranged from another location until the canteen is cleared to resume operations. The temporary arrangement has been made to ensure that patients dependent on the hospital for their daily meals are not affected by the closure.
“The FDA has collected the necessary samples, and the canteen will remain closed for the next two to three days. The hospital administration immediately stepped in and made arrangements for providing meals to patients on a temporary basis. We have ensured that patients continue to receive their meals on time,” said Dr Swapnali Kadam, hospital dean.
Activist Demands Contractor Blacklisting
Swapnil Mahindrakar, an activist who raised the issue, said that temporary closure of the canteen should not be the only action taken against those responsible.
“Although the FDA has taken action, merely shutting the canteen is not enough. The contractor should be blacklisted and should not be awarded any work by the Thane Municipal Corporation. A contractor who plays with the health of patients must be permanently barred from undertaking civic work,” he said.
Mahindrakar, who is also Thane City President of the MNS Public Welfare and Legal Cell, demanded strict criminal action against the contractor involved.
“While the FDA’s intervention is welcome, merely shutting down the canteen is not enough. The contractor who jeopardised patient health must be permanently blacklisted and barred from receiving any future contracts from the Thane Municipal Corporation,” he said.
The FDA report and subsequent clearance will determine when the hospital canteen can resume operations.
Important Highlights
- The canteen at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa has been temporarily shut.
- A cockroach was allegedly found in food served to a patient on August 28.
- FDA officials inspected the kitchen and reportedly found violations of food safety norms.
- Food samples have been collected for examination.
- The hospital has arranged meals from another location during the temporary closure.
- Activists have demanded strict action and permanent blacklisting of the contractor.