This is an archive article published on August 6, 2020
CMO directs district collectorate to probe functioning of YCM hospital
In his complaint to the CMO, Sagar Charan said that large number of deaths of Covid-19 patients at YCM hospital seems to be primarily because there was a severe shortage of specialists resulting in junior doctors handling the patients.
Sagar Charan said he also mentioned in his complaint that there was shortage of oxygenated and ventilator beds at YCM hospital.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Wednesday directed the Pune district collectorate to look into the functioning of PCMC-run Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YSM) Hospital, which is facing shortage of expert doctors and has recorded large number of deaths due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Meanwhile, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation on Wednesday flagged off the work for construction of a 800-bed jumbo hospital in Nehrunagar area of the industrial city.
The CMO in an email to the Vigilance Committee for Pune district asked the collectorate to probe a complaint made by one of its members. “After the report published in The Indian Express on Monday, I had complained to the CMO that there was need to probe the functioning of the YCM hospital where large number of deaths of Covid-19 patients seems to have taken place due to shortage of specialist doctors. The Principal Secretary in the CMO has asked the collectorate to look into the complaint,” Sagar Charan, member of the Vigilance Committee, told The Indian Express.
Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said, “We are already looking into the matter as I have personally taken up with the issue with Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar. The PCMC chief has told me that in last seven to 10 days, situation has improved at YCM hospital and further efforts are being made to put things in order. We are preparing to a send team to YCM hospital to find out the problems plaguing the hospital.”
In his complaint to the CMO, Charan said that large number of deaths of Covid-19 patients at YCM hospital seems to be primarily because there was a severe shortage of specialists resulting in junior doctors handling the patients. “I had pointed out that even pulmonologists who are required for treating serious pneumonia patients are not available at YCM hospital. This was a very serious gaffe and needed thorough investigation,” he said.
“In ICU, intensivists are required to handle critical patients who are on ventilators. Even intensivists are missing from YCMH’s ICU. If doctors who treat fractures are asked to treat Covid-19 patients, who suffer from chest or lung ailment or respiratory problem, deaths are bound to happen,” Charan wrote in his letter to the CMO.
Hospital dean Dr Rajendra Wable had told The Indian Express on Sunday that some of the deaths could have been prevented if they had more number of specialists.
Charan said he also mentioned in his complaint that there was shortage of oxygenated and ventilator beds at YCM hospital. “Two ICUs cannot be operated as there is shortage of doctors. These equipment play very important part in saving a patient’s life…,” he said.
Story continues below this ad
Charan said besides all these, he has also raised issues like poor quality of food at PCMC-run hospitals and Covid Care Centres and government staff and corporators when testing positive for Covid-19 preferring private hospital treatment. “This clearly shows that they have no confidence in civic hospitals,” he said in the letter.
Meanwhile, Hardikar said the work on setting up of the 800-bed jumbo hospital in Nehrunagar area started on Wednesday. “The hospital will have 600 oxygen beds and 50 ventilator beds and 150-bed in the High Dependency Unit,” he said.
Hardikar said the hospital was a joint initiative of PCMC, district collectorate, divisional commissionerate and PMRDA. The hospital is being set up at a cost of Rs 70 crore, of which the state government is providing 50 per cent while the other authorities will share the remaining cost.
Meanwhile, Hardikar said there has been a delay in issuing orders for the appointment of specialists doctors. “We had planned to issue the orders on Tuesday, but it has been delayed as we are checking and cross checking various provisions and seeking clarification from experts. I will issue the order as soon as possible,” he said.
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
4 min read
Sagar Charan said he also mentioned in his complaint that there was shortage of oxygenated and ventilator beds at YCM hospital.
