Mumbai : In a major step toward tackling the growing burden of lifestyle-related illnesses, Mumbai’s state-run JJ Hospital in Byculla will soon open a dedicated obesity clinic, catering to the increasing number of overweight and obese patients visiting its outpatient departments.
“Considering the present-day health problems, we plan to open an obesity clinic that will function once a week,” said Dr Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of JJ Hospital. The initiative reflects a broader shift in public healthcare priorities, moving from a near-exclusive focus on infectious diseases to include non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
According to NFHS-5 (2019–21), 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men are overweight or obese—a trend that has steadily climbed, especially in urban areas. Alarmingly, childhood obesity is also on the rise, with the percentage of overweight children under five increasing from 2.1% in NFHS-4 to 3.4% in NFHS-5.
“Obesity was earlier seen as a condition affecting the wealthy, but in today’s fast-food culture, even the lower middle class is being impacted,” said Dr Bhandarwar. “We’re seeing this every day in our OPDs.”
Focus on Prevention and Surgery
The upcoming clinic will emphasize early diagnosis, lifestyle modification, and surgical options, including bariatric procedures. “We will not rely solely on anti-obesity pills, as many lack long-term safety data and may cause organ damage,” he cautioned.
JJ Hospital had launched a bariatric surgery programme in 2012, but it was discontinued. Now, with advancements such as robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, plans are underway to revive and modernize the service. “We have a robotic arm at JJ, which could be a game-changer for bariatric surgeries,” added Dr Bhandarwar, formerly head of general surgery at the hospital.
Hospital authorities are also advocating for inclusion of robotic surgery under the state-run insurance schemes, to make the procedures accessible to economically weaker patients.
Part of a Larger Trend in Public Healthcare
JJ Hospital’s obesity clinic joins a growing trend in public hospitals across Mumbai, which are expanding services to address NCDs. BMC-run KEM Hospital recently launched a fatty liver clinic, and the municipal health department has started door-to-door NCD screening surveys. BMC hospitals now also operate ‘NCD corners’ where residents can check their blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
The initiative is part of a larger effort to reorient public health services toward prevention and long-term management of lifestyle diseases that now account for a significant share of the health burden in urban India.
