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Maharashtra

‘No MRI & No Beds’: Mumbai’s Nair Hospital Struggles Persist Post COVID

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In January 2020, just before the Covid-19 outbreak, Mumbai Central resident Anil Nagre wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging immediate attention to the state of civic and state-run hospitals in the city. He specifically highlighted the deteriorating condition of B Y L Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, citing a chronic shortage of beds, ICU facilities and essential medicines.

The PM’s Office had reportedly directed the state government to look into the matter. However, five years on, Nagre says little has changed. Recounting a recent ordeal involving his father’s hospitalisation, he called the experience disheartening. “We saw how the healthcare system nearly collapsed during Covid,” he said. “But it seems like the authorities have learned little from the crisis.”

MRI Machine Defunct Since 2023

A recent visit to Nair Hospital revealed that its lone MRI machine, installed in 2009, has been non-functional since late 2023. The machine was declared end-of-life in early 2023 after repeated helium refills failed to keep it running.

Patients in need of urgent MRIs are now being sent to Sion Hospital or to private diagnostic centres under BMC-approved rates. One relative of a trauma patient said they had no choice but to opt for a private centre nearby due to the patient’s critical condition. The lack of an in-house MRI facility has caused treatment delays and added financial burdens for many.

Although a new 3T MRI machine has been sanctioned in the BMC budget, its installation has been delayed due to procurement hurdles. The delay is also affecting clinical training for radiology students.

Overburdened and Under-Resourced

Nair Hospital is one of Mumbai’s largest civic-run tertiary care hospitals, with approximately 1,652 beds. It caters to patients from across Mumbai, including suburbs like Thane, Palghar and Bhiwandi, and even from rural Maharashtra. Around 30% of its patients come from outside the city for affordable treatment.

Despite its importance, the hospital continues to struggle with outdated infrastructure and frequent equipment failures. With high patient inflow, several wards, including general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics and obstetrics, routinely exceed their capacity. It’s not uncommon for two or more patients to be accommodated on stretchers or even on the floor.

Basic Amenities Still a Challenge

Patients’ relatives raised concerns about lack of basic amenities. “Water is only available on the ground and seventh floors. If your patient is admitted elsewhere, you have to keep climbing up and down,” said caregiver Wasim Ansari.

He also mentioned that fans inside some lifts don’t work. “Lighting is another issue,” added Sumit Patil, who was attending to a relative. “Some parts of the building are dimly lit or completely dark at night. It feels unsafe.”

Hospital Response

Hospital dean Dr Shailesh Mohite stated that instances of patients sharing beds or being accommodated on the floor are not frequent. “This happens only when there is a sudden rush,” he said. A treating doctor added, “We can’t send patients back. If needed, we accommodate them somehow.”

Regarding the MRI issue, Dr Mohite said the BMC’s central purchase department is responsible for procurement. “We have already raised the demand,” he said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: ‘All New Local Trains To Feature Automatic Door Closers,’ Says Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Mumbai: All newly manufactured local trains will be equipped with automatic door closing systems to enhance passenger safety, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday in Mumbai.

The Minister was speaking to the media on the occasion of a breakthrough in a 4.8 km tunnel for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.

Highlighting the importance of Mumbai’s suburban rail network, which is often referred to as the city’s lifeline, Vaishnaw said, “In view of passenger safety, we are working to install automatic door closers on all local trains.” He added that efforts are underway to retrofit existing local trains with the automatic door closing system.

“In the future, all newly built non-AC local trains will come with provisions for automatic door closers,” he confirmed. He also noted that all AC local trains already feature this system.

The Minister further stated that the tendering process to procure 238 new AC local trains for Mumbai has already been initiated. “Soon, the face of Mumbai’s suburban rail network will be completely transformed,” he said.

“The move is expected to significantly improve passenger safety and convenience, particularly during peak hours when overcrowding can lead to accidents related to open train doors” said an official.

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Maharashtra

Government money is not anyone’s father’s, Abu Asim Azmi is angry at Muslims being told that salt is forbidden, BJP leaders’ hatred, Bihar and the secular public need to consider

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has strongly condemned BJP leader and MP and Union Minister Giriraj Singh for calling Muslims as salt haram and traitors and has appealed to the secular people and Muslims to teach the BJP a lesson in the Bihar elections. He said that the way hatred against Muslims has become common in the BJP government, communalism is on the rise and the situation is so bad that BJP leaders are sowing the seeds of hatred against Muslims and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on it and does not even open his lips.
Giriraj Singh, who called Muslims traitors, should understand that government money does not belong to anyone’s father. I want to tell the Muslims of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh that Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu are supporting a government whose ministers have such hateful views about Muslims. Azmi said that the BJP government looks for an opportunity to humiliate Muslims and its hateful leaders constantly spread venom against Muslims. Nitish Rane in Maharashtra and Mumbai also spreads venom against Muslims. In such a situation, it is necessary to restrain the language of these ministers. It is because of such ministers and leaders that communalism is on the rise. Along with calling Muslims as forbidden salt, Giriraj Singh said that Muslims take advantage of government schemes and do not even vote. They are forbidden salt and traitors. On this, Azmi said that the government collects money by collecting taxes on everything, therefore government money does not belong to anyone’s father. The minister should keep this in mind.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Indian Coast Guard Conducts Beach Cleanship Drive At Girgaon Chowpatty And Juhu On International Coastal Cleanup Day 2025

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Mumbai, 20 Sep 25: On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day, observed worldwide on the third Saturday of September, the Indian Coast Guard, Regional Headquarters (West) spearheaded a Beach cleanship Drive at Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu beach, Mumbai.

Being a central coordinator for the marine pollution response, the Indian Coast Guard with a motto We Protect, has been coordinating the Coastal clean-up activity since 2006 wherein approx. 75,000 kgs of waste is cleared from the Indian shores annually.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from numerous organisations including NCC, NSS, NGOs, Schools, Colleges, other government agencies alongside media personnel and people from various walks of the life, who voluntarily contributed to the noble cause of cleaner seas.

During the four hour drive, approximately 3000 Kgs garbage/litter was collected and subsequently disposed off with the assistance of the BMC.As part of the awareness campaign, a painting competition was also organized by the Indian Coast Guard for children in the age group of 6 to 8 years, with over 50 students showcasing their creativity on the theme of environmental conservation.

The outstanding paintings were appreciated and felicitated in the presence of Dr Bhushan Gagrani, IAS, Municipal Commissioner BMC, who graced the noble cause as a special guest of the Indian Coast Guard and Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, PTM, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).

In total, around 1000 participants actively took part in the Beach cleanship, reiterating the collective commitment towards Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar.

The annual activity of the Indian Coast Guard taking along the civil populace has once again reaffirmed the resolve to safeguard the oceans, protect marine life and bequeath a cleaner, healthier environment to the generations yet to come.

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