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Over the past week, patients at civic-run VN Desai Hospital, particularly pregnant women, have been either put on a prolonged waiting list or redirected to alternative hospitals, due to malfunctioning operation theatres (OT) in its gynaecology and orthopaedic departments.
Economically disadvantaged patients from Ville Parle, Santacruz, and Khar seek treatment at the hospital in Santacruz East. At present, two women are admitted to the hospital’s labour ward, while patients are being redirected to hospitals such as Nair and KEM. Patients say they were made to wait for days even for urgent surgeries.
Alok Anna Reddy (18), a college student residing in Kalina, said, “I had a bike accident, and tore a muscle in my leg. I’ve been in the hospital for two weeks, but the surgery hasn’t been performed yet. Doctors explain that the operation theatre is closed, and it will take time due to high demand. I’m missing classes, too.”
Confirming the OTs being closed, Dr Vidya Thakur, chief medical superintendent of peripheral hospitals, including VN Desai, said, “The OTs required some repair work, which has been completed. We are now conducting the required fumigation. They will be functional soon,” she said. When asked the reason for closing the OTs, she said that she will inquire for more information.
A senior official, on condition of anonymity, attributed the closure to a leakage problem. “Samples have been gathered to assess the OT’s contamination status, and the report is expected by Wednesday. In the event of a negative swab test result, surgeries will commence. But if the test indicates infection, another round of cleaning will be undertaken to make the OT free of any infection,” the official said.
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