Mumbai: Following concerns raised during the monsoon session of the state legislature over the shortage of specialist doctors at the Sewri TB Hospital, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a fresh recruitment drive. The civic body is looking to fill several contractual posts—including specialist medical consultants, intensivists, medical officers, and a physiotherapist—to strengthen critical care services at the Group of Tuberculosis Hospitals in Sewri.
During the monsoon session of the state legislature, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir raised concerns over the lack of intensivist doctors at the BMC-run Sewri TB Hospital. According to Ahir, in May 2025, it was brought to light that patients were facing delays in receiving timely treatment due to the unavailability of intensivists. He pointed out that despite repeated advertisements for the ICU posts, the BMC had been unable to fill them. Ahir questioned whether this was accurate and asked what action the government had taken—or was currently taking—to ensure timely appointment of doctors.
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde denied that there was a shortage of intensivists at the hospital. He stated that on March 27, 2024, four contractual posts for intensivists were approved for the ICU at the Sewri TB Hospital. The hospital subsequently issued advertisements on four occasions, leading to the appointment of three doctors. The remaining vacancy, he said, would be filled from the waiting list once the ICU becomes fully operational.
To maintain uninterrupted patient care in the meantime, the services of one anaesthetist and five pulmonologists from the hospital are being utilised.
Following the Deputy Chief Minister’s assurance in the House, the BMC invited applications to fill 40 vacant posts on a contractual basis. These include 12 posts of specialist medical consultants, 4 posts of intensivists, 22 posts of contractual medical officers, 4 posts of medical officers (MO-IRCU), and 1 post of physiotherapist. All appointments will be made with fixed monthly remuneration as outlined in the official notification.
According to BMC, candidates with experience in treating tuberculosis patients will be given preference. However, if such candidates are unavailable, the experience requirement may be relaxed in exceptional cases to ensure uninterrupted patient care at the TB Hospital.
Intensivist doctors are responsible for managing the Intensive Respiratory Care Unit (IRCU) in rotational shifts, guiding medical officers, and ensuring proper treatment of critically ill patients. Their duties include taking case histories, performing procedures like intubation and Bi-PAP support, and monitoring patients regularly.
