More OP counters, cleanliness panel: BMC takes series of steps to improve services, cut delays at Cooper Hospital

In a statement issued on Sunday, the civic body said it set up a three-member senior supervisory committee under the guidance of Dr Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs), to oversee the hospital’s day-to-day functioning. The panel comprises Sharad Ugade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Public Health; Dr Neelam Andrade, Director, Medical Education and Major Hospitals; and Dr Shailesh Mohite, Dean of Nair Hospital, who has previously served as acting dean of Cooper Hospital.

Dr Andrade, who has been given additional charge as the Dean of Cooper Hospital, has cleared 850 pending files and issued 350 work orders over the last three weeks. These orders, officials said, ensure the availability of medicines and other essential supplies.

Operational changes have also been implemented to ease patient load. Outpatient registration now begins at 7.30 am, with additional staff deployed, increasing the number of registration counters to five. The hospital pharmacy’s working hours have been extended by three hours, staying open till 7.30 pm instead of 4.30 pm.

On the sanitation front, the BMC said a cleanliness committee has been formed to monitor daily maintenance. Rat cages, glue traps, and nets have been placed across the premises, while burrows and potential entry points have been sealed. A pest control officer from the K/West ward has also been assigned to conduct daily inspections.

Biomedical waste is being disposed of every day under the supervision of assistant medical officers, the civic body said. Awareness posters have been put up across wards to encourage patients and relatives to use designated bins, with stricter monitoring now in place. A preliminary inquiry committee has also been set up to identify the causes of rodent infestation and recommend long-term measures.

“The safety of patients, cleanliness, and quality healthcare services remain the administration’s priority,” said a BMC official.

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