Over 150 residents, activists, and doctors rally from Mankhurd to Govandi demanding rollback of PPP hospital tenders
Mumbai:
Voicing strong opposition to the privatisation of public healthcare, over 150 people, including local residents, youth groups, doctors, and political activists, staged a protest march from Mankhurd to Govandi on Monday. The demonstration was organised by the “Save Hospital, Stop Privatisation” action committee, targeting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to privatise two newly constructed civic hospitals under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The protesters condemned the proposed privatisation of Lallubhai Hospital and Shatabdi Hospital, demanding immediate cancellation of tenders and urgent upgrades to critical healthcare services, including ICU/NICU facilities and diagnostic centres.
“Hospitals Are for Public Need, Not Corporate Greed”
Shouting slogans like “Stop Privatisation of Hospitals!” and “Hospitals are for public need, not for corporate greed!”, the crowd marched to the Govandi ward office. Protesters camped outside the office for two hours, demanding a direct dialogue with the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Health).
The demonstration saw active participation from across the M-East Ward, which includes Shivaji Nagar, Deonar, Cheetah Camp, Mankhurd, and parts of Chembur. Nearly 80% of the population in this region lives in slum areas, relying heavily on affordable civic healthcare.
“Most of the M-East residents do not even have access to nutritious food. In such conditions, government health services become a matter of life and death,” said Baban Thake, Mumbai coordinator of the Revolutionary Workers Party of India.
Personal Stories of Struggle
Residents shared painful personal experiences of inadequate healthcare.
“Hospitals lack labs, beds, staff, and medicines. With privatisation, costs will rise. The poor will simply die,” said a local from Mankhurd.
The protestors also demanded immediate operationalisation of the Maharashtra Nagar Maternity Home and monthly public grievance meetings to enhance transparency and civic accountability.
PPP Tender Plans Spark Backlash
The BMC’s March 5 tender for Lallubhai Hospital and June 13 tender for Shatabdi Hospital triggered sharp criticism. According to the tender documents:
- Shatabdi Hospital (581 beds): 70% beds reserved for paying patients, 30% for BMC-referred patients.
- Lallubhai Compound Hospital (410 beds): 260 beds reserved for low-income patients (orange/yellow ration cards), only 150 for BMC referrals.
Plans also include establishing a 100-seat private medical college at Shatabdi Hospital.
Experts Slam PPP Model
Dr. Abhay Shukla, national co-convener of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, questioned the viability of PPP models:
“There are already 20 BMC hospitals under PPP, yet public healthcare remains overstretched. PPP doctors lack ICU training and accountability. These models must be reviewed.”
He warned that corporatising essential healthcare could permanently erode public accountability and care standards.
