Mumbai : Even after the special clean-up operation that the three BMC hospitals – Sion, Nair and KEM – undertook following the death of a doctor from dengue, many potential breeding spots can be seen in various corners of the hospitals. Standing water along with garbage in the vicinity of the hospital is also another threat.
The garbage behind the OPD building of Nair Hospital has been left as it is. It has standing water at many of the places which is a potential site for breeding of mosquitoes. There is a strong stench in the floors leading to the area. Over 400 patients along with several Resident Medical Officers live in the next building.
At KEM Hospital also the situation is no better. Many areas near the MICU building, OPD building and main building have standing water and open drainage system. One can see swarms of mosquitoes flying over at such places. The patients and the doctors also complained of the mosquito bites throughout day and night.
“We are unable to sleep at nights. One mosquito repellent is not enough for a good night’s sleep. We put two at a time for getting peaceful sleep,” said a resident doctor from KEM Hospital.
Resident doctors at Sion and Nair also said the same. “Though not many amongst us have contracted the disease as yet but we are unable to sleep at night due to mosquitoes. They are breeding in the campus,” said a resident doctor from Sion Hospital.
However, Dr Shubhangi Parker, dean of KEM Hospital said they cannot stop the trouble of standing water due to the ongoing construction activities in the campus. “But we have made sure that no mosquito breeds in the campus. Our microbiologists are undertaking tests every week to make sure that there is no potential threat of diseases like dengue and malaria developing in the campus. And we make sure that we undertake fogging every week,” said Dr Parker.
However, the resident doctor said that fogging has been carried out only once at KEM Hospital and that also after death of Dr Sumedha Pazare.
Dr Ramesh Bharmal in the meanwhile promised that he will undertake a special inspection of the area near OPD building and that the area will be cleared up by Tuesday.
Swati Jha
