Health dept has used only 19.8% of its Budget

One of the major projects of BMC’s health department, to initiate a 11-bed intensive respiratory care unit (IRCU) worth Rs 1 crore, has been in the pipeline for years now. In the past one year, the BMC has not even issued tenders for the project.

“The tenders will be issued in the next few weeks,” a senior Sewri TB hospital administrator said. The mention of IRCU has been in every year’s Budget, however, patients continue to suffer in its absence. The IRCU is essential for drug resistant tuberculosis patients, whose condition turns critical after surgery.
Similarly, the health department’s ambitious plan to run Dilaasa centres in 11 hospitals is awaiting sanction of funds to recruit manpower. Dilaasa centres are point of contact for women suffering from any kind of` violence for psychological, social and legal support. Currently, two such centres run in Bandra Bhabha and Kurla Bhabha Hospitals.

According to BMC data, of the Rs 243.7 crore allotted for constructing and upgrading major hospitals, Rs 87.3 crore (35 per cent) have been spent. Of the Rs 48.1 crore allotted for specialised hospitals, such as a super specialty cancer hospital, an expenditure of only Rs 6.4 crore (13 per cent) has been recorded.
Plans of starting a yoga centre in Rajawadi Hospital and Dr R N Cooper Hospital also continues to remain on paper. “We need specialised staff for yoga. The delay is taking place because several permissions and training is required,” said Dr Suhasini Nagda, director of medical education, BMC.