Mumbai: Zarin Khan, a resident of Nehru Nagar, visited Khan Bahadur Bhabha Hospital in Kurla after experiencing swelling in his hands due to an injury. After completing the registration and doctor consultation, he was advised to get an X-ray. However, upon reaching the X-ray department, he was informed that the machine had been non-functional for the past four days. The hospital staff directed him to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar instead. It was around 8 p.m., and he had to travel all the way to Ghatkopar just for a simple X-ray.
Patients Struggle To Buy Critical Drugs
In another case, Nasreen Bano, who was admitted to Bhabha Hospital, needed a specific injection. Her husband was asked to procure it from outside, as the hospital had been out of stock for the past 15 days.
These are not isolated incidents. Many patients have reported similar challenges at the 90-year-old hospital located in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.
The Poor Conditions Of The Khan Bahadur Bhabha Hospital
The Khan Bahadur Bhabha Hospital, a 336 ‑bed of which 270 are operational, peripheral medical facility run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is facing serious infrastructural and operational issues that are affecting patient care. Despite being one of the older hospitals under BMC, the hospital is plagued with recurring breakdowns of critical diagnostic equipment, overcrowding, and poor maintenance.
The Khan Bahadur Bhabha Hospital | FPJ Photo
Out-of-Stock Medicines Force Poor Patients to Buy from Outside
Dilshad Ashraf Azmi, a former corporator and former member of the civic Health Committee, alleged that Bhabha Hospital has been facing a severe medicine shortage for the past one and a half years. “Medicines are being procured through spot quotations worth Rs 25 lakh each time, but there is no regular or permanent supply,” Azmi said. She added that patients are often forced to buy medicines from outside, which is sometimes impossible as most of them are poor and underprivileged.
'Once Provided Quality Treatment, Now Den Of Corruption'
Several patients visiting the hospital have echoed similar concerns. Akil Khatik, a civic activist from the area, stated that a hospital once known for providing quality treatment has now become a den of corruption. “Patients rarely receive all the medicines prescribed by doctors,” he said. “In most cases, they are forced to buy nearly half of the medicines from outside pharmacies.”
Khatik pointed out that although there are provisions for four counters within the hospital campus to provide free medicines, only one remains open during OPD hours, resulting in long queues. “In the evening and at night, all counters remain shut on many occasions, forcing patients' families to wait for hours or buy medicines from outside,” he alleged.
High Patient Footfall from Eastern Suburbs
The Khan Bahadur Bhabha Hospital in Kurla receives around 1,700 to 2,000 patients daily in its Out-Patient Department (OPD), catering to residents from several eastern suburbs including Kurla, Nehru Nagar, Chunabhatti, Chembur, Tilak Nagar, and parts of Ghatkopar. The hospital primarily serves low-income communities that depend on public healthcare for affordable and accessible treatment.
96 Doctors on Roll, Yet Patients Face Long Waits for Consultation
According to the hospital administration, there are 96 doctors on roll, including 12 permanent and 84 contractual staff. Despite this seemingly adequate number, patients frequently complain about long waits for consultations in certain departments.
'Doctors Arrive Late, Patients Left To Wait'
“Many doctors arrive late, leaving patients waiting for hours,” said Ashraf Azmi, a former Congress corporator from Kurla. He added that the hospital is facing an acute shortage of staff across almost all departments, a concern that was also flagged during the visit of Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad to the hospital on May 24, 2025.
“Patients and their relatives have raised multiple complaints during visits to Bhabha Hospital, pointing out issues such as a severe shortage of medicines, long queues for case papers and pharmacy services due to inadequate staff, non-functional X-ray machines, unavailability of doctors, and even misbehaviour by hospital staff,” Azmi said.
He confirmed that these grievances have been formally reported to senior civic health officials and the BMC Commissioner for urgent redressal and necessary action.
'No Major Shortage At Present,' Claims Senior Official At Bhabha Hospital
However, a senior official from Bhabha Hospital stated that staff strength has been increased recently, and there is no major shortage at present. The official maintained that efforts are ongoing to streamline operations and address service delays wherever reported. But visiting patients complained that paediatric and ortho department doctors always arrive late at the hospital.
Civic activist Khatik said that patients have to go outside pathology for basic blood tests. “A few blood tests are carried out inside the hospital and patients are asked get all major blood tests from outside,” said Khatik.
Closure of Local Dispensary Adds Pressure on Hospital
According to Azmi, the closure of the Aapli Chikitsa dispensary in the area has further burdened Bhabha Hospital, forcing more patients to seek treatment there. “Sometimes, the waiting period for basic blood tests ranges from two to five days,” she claimed.
The closed Apla Chikitsa center | FPJ Photo
Renovation Adds to Chaos as Debris, Locked Toilets, and Stray Dogs Trouble Patients
Currently, the hospital is undergoing renovation, and several areas are littered with construction debris. While the premises are cleaned thoroughly ahead of senior civic officials' visits, on regular days, stray dogs can often be seen roaming freely. During a recent visit by this reporter, dogs were found loitering inside the X-ray and CT scan departments. A female hospital staff member also pointed out that toilets meant for OPD patients and their relatives are kept locked, creating significant inconvenience, especially for women, as there are no public toilets available outside the hospital either.
Stray dog near X Ray area | FPJ Photo
A stray dog roaming inside the hospital premises |
Lift Breakdown Adds to Patient Woes; X-Ray Restored, Dispensary Set to Reopen
The hospital’s lift remained non-functional for nearly a month, causing immense difficulties for patients, particularly the elderly and those with mobility issues. The issue was finally resolved after local activists, including RTI activist Anil Galgali, raised the matter with senior civic officials. A senior hospital official confirmed that the X-ray machine is now in working condition and added that the Aapli Chikitsa dispensary is expected to become operational from August 1, 2025.
An attempt to meet the medical superintendent of Khan Bahadur Bhabha Hospital was unsuccessful. A message sent to her also went unanswered.
The FPJ has started a series on the shoddy state of public hospitals. This is third in the series.
