Mumbai: KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal Criticises Medical Officers, Warns Doctors After Woman’s Death Due to Ambulance Delay
Thane, 12th May 2025: In the wake of the tragic death of 43-year-old Savita Birajdar at Bai Rukminibai Hospital, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Commissioner Abhinav Goyal has issued a stern warning to medical officers and hospital staff, citing serious lapses in patient care and administrative oversight. The incident, which occurred after a critical delay in ambulance services, has sparked public outrage and led to the suspension and dismissal of several hospital staff members.
During a four-hour emergency meeting held on Saturday evening on a scheduled holiday-Commissioner Goyal directly confronted Medical Health Officer Dr. Deepa Shukla for her lack of information and control over hospital operations. “You do not know about the functioning of municipal hospitals and health centres, nor have you ever visited them. This is a failure of your duties as a Medical Health Officer,” Goyal reprimanded. He insisted that every doctor must serve patients with utmost dedication, warning, “Anyone unable to fulfil their responsibilities will be shown the door. No one invited you to serve in the municipal system; you chose this profession. Fulfilyour duty, or leave.”
The commissioner’s intervention follows a preliminary inquiry, which found that the delay in shifting Savita Birajdar for advanced treatment was a direct result of staff negligence, particularly the unavailability and mismanagement of ambulance services. “Unfortunately, a woman lost her life in a municipal hospital due to the lack of basic ambulance services,” Goyal stated. He further instructed that external doctors who fail to report on time and only seek payment for minimal service should have their contracts terminated, emphasising, “We have sufficient manpower. We can provide good patient care with the existing staff.”
Goyal also addressed the need for immediate reforms, including the appointment of a biomedical engineer for equipment maintenance, decentralisation of the medicine stock room, and stricter accountability for all medical staff. He warned, “Do not give excuses about inadequate infrastructure. Improve your functioning within a month or face action.”
The KDMC has already taken disciplinary action, suspending and dismissing staff found responsible for the lapses. The commissioner’s tough stance signals a broader push for accountability and improved patient care across all municipal hospitals in Kalyan-Dombivli.
