THANE: Chief minister Eknath Shinde, Monday, announced capacity augmentation of the municipality run Kalwa CSMM hospital and Civil hospital along with few district facilities considering the rush of patients there. Shinde also announced Rs 71 crore funds for improved infrastructure at the Kalwa facility.
Shinde was talking to the media late Monday following a review of the hospital facilities after the unfortunate incident of 18 deaths reported here in a single day on Sunday. Four more deaths were reported on the following day. Shinde was accompanied by Thane civic chief Abhijit Bangar and district collector Ashok Shingare, Manuj Jindal, CEO, Thane ZP among others.
"This is an unfortunate incident and as the CM it is my responsibility… There is tremendous rush to the CSM and Civil hospital that are tertiary care facilities in Thane city. So we are now mulling to increase the ward capacity at the CSM and also exploring to add around 100 beds at the 336 Civil hospital at its recently relocated premises. Residents from the district prefer to come here for treatment and there are still over 90 patients waiting for admissions here. The OPD footfall was 2,500. We are also exploring revamping the facility in Bhiwandi," said Shinde adding that ambulances will also be deployed to ferry patients between the hospitals free of cost, if required.
Speaking about the death of 18 deaths, Shinde said it was unfortunate and said a ten member committee of experts has been formed that will present its report by August 25. Addressing the compensation to the kin of those who dies, Shinde said the state would wait for the report by the committee to arrive first and then take a call. He added that negligence if was found stern action would be taken on those found guilty.
Meanwhile, Shinde also indirectly backed the hospital administration in the incident saying the hospital staff was working beyond its capacity as they don't refuse patients. “I have visited all the wards and the ICU and interacted with relatives and patients who told me they were satisfied with the treatment. No one has complained of negligence so far,” he said.
He dismissed criticism from the opposition about his absence from the city on Sunday saying he was attending to residents from his native village in Satara. “Residents know that when it comes to visiting mishap sites like Irshalwadi, rescuing commuters from marooned train at Badlapur, I have always been at the front. Those who criticise and protest should instead come here and meet patients and help them,” he said.
