Hit by space crunch, Sassoon seeks land from government

Several institutions in the city have been complaining of space crunch as a major problem. The largest government hospital in the city, too, has sounded the government about lack of space for its expansion in view of the high influx of patients.

After scientific institutions like the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) pressed for more space, Sassoon Hospital has voiced its land-shortage grievance to the government.

Authorities at the 1,200-bed hospital have drawn the attention of the state authorities to the lack of space for setting up superspecialty departments. When contacted, Dr D B Kadam, who is in charge of the press relations committee at Sassoon said that a formal request has been made with the state government.

"There is a need for nine superspecialty departments including nephrology, cardiology, neurology and gastroenterology units in the medicine section while the surgery section requires space for setting up urology, plastic surgery, paediatrics, neurology and surgery units," Kadam said.

The hospital spread across approximately 20 acres has a high influx of patients from Pune and beyond. The OPD on any day has more than 2,000 patients.

Stating they could no longer expand on the same premises, they had requested the National Highways Authority of India and the PWD to transfer a portion of government land opposite the hospital to Sassoon. An RTI application by activist Vihar Durve had revealed that this plot, Vishnu Sadashiv plot at Mangalwar Peth, serves by and large as a guest house for Class 1 and 2 officers.

In 2009, the then dean of the B J Medical College associated with Sassoon had urged the Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to allot a portion of this land that belongs to the MSRDC, Sassoon officials said.

Meanwhile, the existing construction on campus is awaiting funds from the Centre. It would house a paediatric, ophthalmology, chest and TB and skin units. The trauma centre that is in the final phase requires funds for appointing personnel. "Our officers have attended meetings in Mumbai to urge the state authorities to release funds so that the work can be expedited," Kadam added.

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