Mumbai: Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed the BMC health and medical departments to formulate a comprehensive, multi-pronged policy aimed at providing quality, affordable, comprehensive and accountable healthcare services to the citizens of Mumbai. He directed that the policy be developed in a phased manner and include various aspects like artificial intelligence (AI)-based operations, sanitation and workforce management.

A special meeting of the BMC health and medical departments was held recently at the BMC headquarters, where Bhide provided guidance. The meeting was attended by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Laungare. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Oghade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner Office) Shri Prashant Gaikwad, Director Medical Education and Major Hospitals Dr Shailesh Mohte, Executive Health Officer Dr Daksha Shah, and officers of the concerned departments were present.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed the health and medical departments to implement multi-level reforms in a phased manner, with the aim of making various health and medical services provided by the BMC more citizen-centric. Accordingly, a digital presentation was given by the concerned departments regarding the proposed plan. The plan has set milestones and objectives and issued instructions to formulate a strategy for their implementation. The details about the milestones of the proposed plan and the targets set for each phase are as follows: Phase-I; The objectives set for the first phase of this proposed plan include: Display of ‘Citizen Charter’ at the health and medical facilities of the Municipal Corporation; Strengthening and enhancing the cleanliness management in hospitals and dispensaries; Ensuring faster redressal of complaints; Implementing HMIS (Hospital Management Information System) more effectively; Enabling a comprehensive dashboard for hospital services and facilities; and reducing patient waiting times in Outpatient Departments (OPD) by implementing ‘Smart and Digital OPD’ system.

This also includes streamlining the process of issuing various permits and licenses by the Public Health Department. Ensuring strict compliance with the terms and conditions under which these permits and licenses were granted through regular checks. And adopting the latest technology wherever needed.
Furthermore, the first phase of the improvement includes technology-friendly measures that are extremely important and beneficial to patients, such as filling up of vacant medical posts and setting up of dedicated Insurance Assistance Cells in major municipal hospitals to help patients avail health insurance benefits. Furthermore, the plan includes a special improvement program to ensure prompt availability of essential medicines during emergencies for patients seeking medical treatment.
Phase II; The objectives set for the second phase of this proposed project include several key initiatives: implementing ‘online bed allocation’ on a pilot basis – thereby allocating hospital beds to needy patients on the waiting list through an online system; decentralising hospital services, especially by referring patients who require minor treatment to suburban hospitals; and starting 24/7 clinics on a pilot basis in every ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Furthermore, the second phase includes initiatives such as making joint efforts — through public-private partnerships — to secure funds to cover up to 50% of the cost for needy patients; providing training to hospital officers and staff in soft skills, medical ethics and related fields; and establishing special awards for employees who perform exceptionally.

Another prominent feature of the second phase is the inclusion of various components based on ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI). These mainly cover aspects related to radiology, pathology, and resource management.
Phase Three; The third phase of this proposed project mainly focuses on ‘Quality Assurance’. It includes

Mumbai: Due to the efforts of Mumbai Police, an 8-year-old child was handed over to his family after three years, bringing joy to the faces of the grieving family. An orphanage named Asanhasdan under the limits of Andheri MIDC police station had filed a complaint that a child from their place had gone missing. On October 22, 2023, a police complaint of kidnapping was filed in this matter. On October 22, the child was found abandoned in a suspicious condition on Juhu Chowpatty, which the police had kept in the orphanage. 8-year-old Anees Khan had left the orphanage without telling anyone, after which the police have started searching for him. All the missing FIRs from 2023 till now were examined. Along with this, the police came to know that there is a child of the same name in Matunga too. In such a case, the records were checked and from here it was found that this child was residing in Malad Maloni. After that, the police found out the address of his house and then from Maloni police station it was found that the name of the child is Aman Sheikh, after which the police found out by sharing a picture with his aunt, she identified him and later the police The police have handed over an 8-year-old boy who had been missing for 3 years to his family. This operation was carried out by DCP Dutta Nalawade on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

MUMBAI: Following the registration of an FIR involving serious allegations of fraud and forgery, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have cracked down on the ‘Madiyar Mansion’ building located in the Mandvi division. MHADA has cancelled the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously granted to the project, while the BMC’s Building Proposal Department has issued a ‘Stop Work Notice’ to halt all construction activity.

Strict Directives Issued by MHADA
The official order issued by MHADA explicitly states that:
No further administrative permissions, amendments, or approvals will be granted to the project in the future.

To avoid any future legal or administrative complications, instructions have been issued to immediately halt all ongoing work at the construction site. Note: Despite the initial FIR being registered, construction up to the 7th floor (Ground + 7) had reportedly continued at the site.

8 Registered Documents Under Scrutiny for Forgery
Following the FIR, the Sub-Registrar of Assurances had registered 8 documents related to the property. Taking note of the fraud allegations, the Sub-Registrar’s office sent an official letter to the local police station stating that these 8 documents are based on forged paperwork and should not be recognized or used anywhere.

Background of the Case
The alleged fraud surrounding this property came to light on February 2 this year, when the complainant, Mohammad Rafique Usman Pudinawala, lodged an official complaint alleging fraud and forgery.
Based on his complaint, the Paydhonie Police Station registered an FIR under relevant sections against the following individuals:
Mariyam Mahboob Kodia
Hussain Kodia
Yusuf Ibrahim Supariwala (Builder)
Following MHADA’s strict action, further investigations into other administrative aspects and the potential involvement of officials are expected to accelerate.