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Mumbai Ailing Hospitals Part 11: Sion Hospital Struggles With Medicine Shortages, Overcrowding & Equipment Failures

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Mumbai: Danish Shaikh, a relative of a patient, shared a distressing experience involving his 67-yearold aunt, Noor Shaikh, who suffers from kidney disease. “We had to purchase medicines worth Rs7,000 from outside the hospital because they were unavailable there,” he said.

Visiting the hospital at night and lacking sufficient funds, Shaikh was forced to borrow money from fellow visitors, which he could return only the next day. “I was completely uncertain about what to do,” he added. Another patient, Manoj Singh, echoed similar frustrations: “Whatever medicines doctors prescribe are not available here. We are forced to buy expensive drugs from private medical shops. Getting treated in Sion Hospital now feels like going to a private hospital.”

Such incidents are becoming alarmingly common, as the hospital frequently runs out of essential medicines, compelling patients to buy costly drugs from outside. Such incidents are becoming increasingly common at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (LTMGH), also known as Sion Hospital, the second-largest hospital run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The hospital is grappling with a deepening crisis that is severely affecting patient care. The hospital serves as a critical healthcare hub for millions, handling 22 lakh patients annually and 5,000 to 6,500 daily outpatient department (OPD) visits, peaking at 7,500 during monsoons. However, medicine shortages, overcrowded wards, equipment failures, and unhygienic conditions are pushing patients and their families to the brink.

An anonymous official from the civic administration admitted that the BMC has not yet received new medicine stocks, forcing the hospital to manage with dwindling supplies. “The hospital is somehow managing with the old stock and distributing whatever is available,” the official said, adding that fresh supplies are expected soon. However, the delay continues to leave patients in distress. Sion Hospital’s challenges extend beyond medicine shortages.

Overcrowding is a persistent issue, with its 1,900 beds insufficient to accommodate the massive patient load. In medicine wards 6, 7, and 20, designated for male and female patients, two patients often share a single bed, while others are accommodated on mattresses laid out on the floor. On one occasion, a ward designed for 40–50 patients housed 105, making proper sanitation nearly impossible.

Sumit Dhar, a relative of a patient, said, “My relative feels very uncomfortable. I can barely reach the bedside — there’s hardly any space to walk between the beds.” Dirty beds, soiled linen, and insufficiently cleaned toilets and common areas further exacerbate hygiene concerns, raising the risk of infections. As a tertiary care centre, Sion Hospital attracts patients from Mumbai’s densely populated areas like Kurla, Chembur, Dharavi, Dadar, Matunga, Bandra, Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Govandi, as well as from surrounding districts like Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Raigad.

An administrative official, speaking anonymously, noted that despite Thane having its own chief minister for over two years, public hospitals there remain underdeveloped, funneling patients to Sion Hospital for specialized care. “The hospital has specialised medical care, advanced treatment facilities, and experienced doctors,” the official said, underscoring its critical role. Yet, patients report a starkly different experience.

Equipment failures add to the hospital’s woes. One of its two MRI machines is non-functional, leaving a single machine to handle both admitted and emergency cases. Patients face appointment delays of two to three months, with some redirected to Eknath Gaikwad Hospital in Dharavi, known as “Chhota Sion.”

Dr. Mohan Joshi, the hospital’s dean, claimed that all MRI machines are currently functional, but patients continue to face delays. CT scans, outsourced, require patients to queue early in the morning for appointment dates, adding to their inconvenience. The hospital’s blood bank has also drawn criticism. Previously fined for failing to update its stock on the SBTC website, it struggles to provide blood for nearly 280 thalassemia patients who require regular transfusions.

“There is a perennial shortage of blood, even though the hospital has a dedicated thalassemia unit… Private blood banks also refuse to provide blood free of cost, in violation of government policy,” said a health activist.

Despite increasing blood collection over the past three years, mismanagement persists. The hospital’s basement, filled with trash, discarded medical materials, and broken furniture, poses a serious safety hazard. Blocked pathways and flammable materials could hinder emergency evacuations, highlighting administrative negligence.

Despite these challenges, Sion Hospital remains a vital healthcare provider, performing 400 surgeries, 100 endoscopies, and 10 angiographies daily. Its OPD, operating from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm, serves a wide range of specialities, but the strain on resources demands urgent reform to restore its ability to deliver quality care.

Crime

Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Vikaspuri; four held, Rs 74,000 recovered

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New Delhi, July 9: Delhi Police busted an illegal gambling den operating from a two-storeyed jhuggi in Vikaspuri on Thursday, apprehending four alleged gamblers. The Police team also recovered Rs 74,070 in suspected stake money along with gambling-related material during the raid.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 7 after the Special Staff received specific and credible information about an illegal gambling racket being run from Indra Camp No. 4 in Vikaspuri.

Based on the tip-off, a raiding team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya and the ACP (Operations), under the overall supervision of senior officers.

The team immediately reached the identified location and conducted a raid. During the operation, four persons were allegedly found actively engaged in gambling, while 16 other individuals were also present at the premises.

Police recovered Rs 74,070, suspected to be gambling stake money, along with satta parchis, a chakri and number charts allegedly used for conducting illegal gambling activities.

During the investigation, police identified Shahid as the alleged kingpin behind the gambling racket. According to officials, Shahid has previously been involved in five gambling-related cases. His associate, Akram, was allegedly responsible for collecting the stake money from gamblers.

Both Shahid and Akram were absent during the raid. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the duo and ascertain their complete role in the illegal gambling operation.

The four apprehended accused have been identified as Shekhar (24), a resident of Vikaspuri, who is allegedly involved in three previous criminal cases; Sachin (22), a resident of JJ Colony, who has two previous criminal cases against him; Md. Nadeem (31), a resident of Shiv Vihar, who is allegedly involved in one previous criminal case; and Sahil (19), a resident of Uttam Nagar, who also has one previous criminal case.

Police said the recovered items, including the cash, satta parchis, chakri and number charts, have been seized as evidence.

Further investigation is underway to identify other persons associated with the racket and to establish the full extent of the illegal gambling network operating in the area.

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Crime

Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

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New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.

Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.

During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.

According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.

The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.

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Crime

Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

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Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.

The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.

According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.

She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.

Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.

Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.

The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.

Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.

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