Party Raises Alarm Over Patient Safety
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) has demanded strict action after reports revealed that an unqualified doctor was appointed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of B.N. Desai Hospital, Santacruz. The ICU services were outsourced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to a private contractor, who allegedly deployed a fake doctor.
Allegations Against Contractor and Officials
NCP (SP) state spokesperson and Mumbai Youth Congress President, Advocate Amol Matele, accused the contractor of “playing with the lives of patients.” He alleged that the doctor was not registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and blamed municipal officials for negligence and complicity.
Call for Criminal Proceedings
Matele urged the BMC to register criminal cases against the contractor under charges of cheating, breach of trust, forgery, use of forged documents, negligence causing harm or death, endangering life, and criminal conspiracy. He also demanded that the contractor be permanently blacklisted from all future government contracts.
Demand for Inquiry and Accountability
In a letter to the BMC Health Commissioner, Matele insisted that such malpractice could not have occurred without the involvement of civic officials. He demanded a thorough probe to fix accountability and ensure that those guilty are punished.
Warning of Agitation
The NCP (SP) warned that if the BMC fails to act immediately, the party will launch an agitation and gherao health department officials. Matele said, “Playing with the lives of Mumbaikars cannot be tolerated. We will continue our fight until the culprits face the strictest punishment.”
