Mumbai Civic Body Approves Hiring Doctors at Cooper Hospital

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received approval to fill key medical vacancies at Cooper Hospital, allowing for the hiring of doctors and assistant professors on a contract basis until March 30, 2027. This decision was announced by Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sarad Ughade during a media briefing on Thursday. The initiative aims to address the critical staffing shortages within the hospital, which currently has 217 vacant posts.

Ughade confirmed that a two-month extension has been granted to existing doctors and assistant professors, ensuring continuity in patient care while the recruitment process proceeds. “We have received approval for the extension. In the meantime, we have also been permitted to fill all vacant posts,” he stated. Dr. Neelam Andrade, the Director of Medical Education and Hospitals at BMC, emphasized the importance of filling at least 75 percent of these vacancies. “Of the 217 vacant posts, 120 will definitely be filled on contract,” she added.

Progress at Cooper Hospital includes the clearance of 1,149 bills and purchase orders, which is crucial for maintaining the hospital’s operational capability. Ughade also discussed the implementation of a zero-prescription policy, stating that the rate circulation for liquid medical oxygen has been completed, with supplies now being provided accordingly. Furthermore, he noted that bids for essential medical items, such as medicines and syringes, have already been received for 50-60 percent of the required items.

Advancements in Hospital Management Systems

BMC is also making strides in modernizing its hospital management processes. The upgraded Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) is currently being piloted at KEM Hospital. Ughade reported that 22 out of 35 modules have been completed. This new digital platform will streamline outpatient department (OPD) registrations, generating unique IDs for each patient, thereby improving efficiency across the network of hospitals.

“Once successful at KEM, which handles around 15,000 OPD cases daily, the system will be implemented across peripheral hospitals,” Ughade explained. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare services in Mumbai.

In addition to these initiatives, Ughade mentioned that the renovated MT Agarwal and Bhagwati Hospitals are set to become operational in the coming year, further expanding the city’s healthcare capacity.

The BMC’s actions reflect a commitment to improving medical services in Mumbai, addressing not only staffing shortages but also enhancing operational efficiencies in healthcare delivery.