Mumbai: Delay in Procurement of Medical Equipment Hampers Patient Care At KEM Hospital

Mumbai, 5th July 2023: Mumbai’s KEM Hospital is currently facing challenges due to the prolonged delay in the procurement of essential medical equipment. The hospital administration has been waiting for the purchase of MRI, CT Scan, and sonography machines to increase the speed and efficiency of patient care. However, these proposals have been pending with the central procurement department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, causing a significant impact on patients seeking timely medical treatment.

Patients visiting KEM Hospital are now compelled to wait for extended periods, with CT scans, MRIs, and sonography appointments being scheduled two months or more in advance. The backlog is not limited to diagnostics alone; several departments are also forced to book surgeries with a two-month waiting period. Additionally, the hospital has been unable to provide certain free essential medicines to patients, further increasing the hardships faced by patients.

Addressing this concerning situation, a delegation from the Shiv Sena party’s legislative group, representing the Shivdi constituency, recently held a meeting with Dr. Sangita Rawat, the founder of KEM Hospital. The delegation put forth their demands, urging the hospital to resume the provision of free medicines and prioritise the filling of vacant positions, including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, room attendants, fourth-grade staff, administrative officers, and technicians.

Further, the delegation requested the hospital staff to speed up the procedure of procuring the equipment, such as MRI, CT Scan, and sonography machines. It was revealed that the proposals for their purchase have been pending with the central procurement department. The hospital administration informed that the situation at KEM Hospital cannot return to normal until the acquisition of these much-needed machines.

Understanding the severity of the matter, Ajay Choudhary, the leader of the Shiv Sena legislative group, declared that the issue of KEM Hospital would be raised during the upcoming monsoon session. He further assured that concerted efforts would be made to expedite the clearance of pending proposals through a meeting with the central procurement department. Kishori Pednekar, the former mayor, expressed her commitment to facilitating a prompt resolution.