Sassoon Hospital to undergo big upgrades; Madhuri Misal reviews progress

Among the core developments, the hospital is set to acquire advanced medical machines: a new CT scan (Rs 7.5 crore), MRI (Rs 27 crore), and a cath lab (Rs 17 crore). Plans are also underway to increase the bed capacity by 550, offering relief to overcrowded wards.

The outpatient department (OPD) is currently undergoing renovation under the ‘OPD under one roof’ initiative. However, temporary relocation of departments has created difficulties for patients. “To address this, we will start three electric vehicles for internal patient transport within 10 to 15 days,” said Dr Eknath Pawar, dean of B J Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital.

Efforts are being made to speed up police reports required for post-mortem cases. A dedicated police team is working with the hospital, particularly due to the shortage of post-mortem centres in the city. Additional CCTV cameras with centralized monitoring are also being installed to strengthen hospital security.

The upcoming Rs 860 crore Cancer Centre remains a key focus, encompassing infrastructure, equipment, and patient amenities. However, radiation therapy services are yet to be included due to structural constraints. “Since radiation units require underground installation, it is a bit challenging,” Pawar noted.

The hospital is also grappling with staff shortages, 783 vacancies at Sassoon and 314 at BJ Government Medical College. “This has led to a heavy workload on the current staff,” Pawar said. “To expedite hiring, we have appointed an external agency to conduct exams and provide a direct merit list for recruitment.”

The review concluded with directives to speed up ongoing projects and ensure patient convenience, reaffirming the government’s commitment to upgrading Sassoon as a modern and inclusive healthcare hub.