Mumbai: After Bombay High Court pulled up BMC-run KEM hospital in Parel for water logging in its pediatrics section, the hospital administration for the first time has deployed workers for anti-flooding measures.
Anti-Flooding Workers Deployed Since Mid-June
"The deployment of works started from mid-June. Per shift five workers are on anti-flooding duty. While storm water drains department has also two dewatering pumps. In total six pumps are installed," an official from KEM hospital told the FPJ.
May 26 Rainfall Caused Paediatric Waiting Area Flooding
Due heavy downpour on May 26, the waiting area of the hospital's paediatric department witnessed waterlogging, risking the patients treatment and their family members too who were seen waiting in the corridor with ankle-deep water.
However, the hospital administration claimed that it was 'water accumulation' and not water logging. Fortunately, the department's services were not majorly affected.
Following this incident, the Bombay High Court expressed serious concern and directed the BMC to urgently inspect the hospital and suggest remedial measures. The court heard the matter following media reports highlighting patients sitting in ankle-deep water inside the hospital premises.
HC Expressed Serious Concern Over Hygiene
"This is a hospital. There has to be hygiene. Management cannot allow this to happen inside hospital premises. This cannot become a recurring situation. KEM was once among the top hospitals in India," the court observed.
Labourers Hired for Daily Drain Cleaning
"There are rare incidents when water accumulate in the hospital premises. The city experience very heavy rainfall on May 26, quite early the usual arrival of monsoon. However, we have implemented anti-flooding measures to ensure such incidents is not repeated. The labourers are hired on monthly basis and deployed to clean drains everyday. The dewatering pumps are installed near by the pediatrics department specially," the official from KEM hospital said speaking with the FPJ on Friday.
