An urgent meeting has been called by the Deputy Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with the medical superintendents of all peripheral hospitals, following the decision to terminate 1,230 contractual positions. The affected roles include doctors and paramedical staff, whose absence is expected to severely disrupt patient care and hospital administration. Many doctors in these hospitals manage both clinical duties and administrative tasks, raising fears that the decision could compromise operational efficiency.
According to a medical superintendent, BMC has requested a proposal from hospital heads and assured them that the matter would be reconsidered. “We were asked to submit a proposal, and BMC will take it into account,” the official said. Sources in the health department disclosed that the decision to cancel these posts resulted from poor coordination, as the general administration made the decision without consulting the hospitals in advance.
Adding to the tension, many staff members reported that they have not received their salaries for the previous month. Some employees have also been verbally instructed not to report to work starting November 1, leaving them uncertain about their employment status. A doctor employed at one of the affected peripheral hospitals expressed disappointment over the situation, particularly given the timing. “With Diwali just around the corner, it is deeply disheartening to face such treatment. This is happening in Mumbai, within the richest municipal corporation in the country,” the doctor remarked.
The sudden abolition of these roles has raised concerns not only about patient care but also about the working conditions of healthcare staff. Many fear that the loss of doctors and paramedical personnel will strain the remaining workforce, leading to burnout and reduced quality of care. Hospital administrators are now scrambling to address the issue and are hopeful that BMC will reconsider the decision based on the proposal submitted.
With the festive season approaching, affected employees are left waiting for clarity on their roles and payments. The uncertainty surrounding salaries and employment has intensified frustrations among staff members, further highlighting the challenges faced by healthcare workers in Mumbai’s municipal system.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)