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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
5-year-old boy is among ‘lightest' to undergo kidney transplant in Mumbai
Mumbai: A five-year-old in India would typically weigh around 18 kg and stand over 3 feet 6 inches tall, but Naman Khetan from Shegaon was shorter and, like a two-year-old, weighed just over 8 kg. He is among the "lightest to undergo a kidney transplant," which was performed at BMC-run KEM Hospital, Parel. "We took him to local doctors in Shegaon because of his failure to gain weight and found out his kidneys were tiny and non-functional," said his 41-year-old father, Sanjay, a salesman who donated one of his kidneys to Naman on July 15. The family has been in KEM Hospital for "two months to the day," said his mother, Monica. When they first came to KEM Hospital last year, the doctors advised them to start Naman on dialysis. "We wanted him to become 10 kg or 11 kg before carrying out a transplant," said Dr Tukaram Jamale, head of the nephrology department. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai But as the Khetans lived in a remote area in Shegaon with few dialysis centres, the KEM team had to soon change the plan. Paediatric kidney transplants are not uncommon, but the challenge is in finding the right-sized kidney donation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Best-Paying Degrees of 2025 Are Not What You Think Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo A child could only get a right-sized kidney from another child. "But getting a paediatric deceased donor is rare. If a parent is donating, then there is the issue of surgically fitting the adult kidney into the child's small abdomen," said Dr Jamale. The Khetans were called to Mumbai as soon as Sanjay confirmed he would donate. The medical teams held meetings over a month, discussing the challenges of operating on the "lightest recipient." "Our previous lightest recipient was 13 kg," said Dr Jamale. Head of KEM Hospital's urology department, Dr Sujata Parwardhan, who performed the transplant, said they were particularly concerned about the blood vessels. "We had cardiovascular surgeons with us," she said. The placement of the oversized donor kidney in the child's abdomen was closely discussed. As Naman was highly malnourished, the dose of anaesthesia and fluids had to be planned to "millimetre precision," said Dr Patwardhan. On July 15, however, most of the surgical issues were sorted out easily. The country's first kidney transplant was carried out in KEM Hospital in 1965, and we have been doing difficult cases with good results for patients since then, said KEM Hospital dean, Dr Sangeeta Ravat. Dr Bharat Shah from Gleneagles Hospital and secretary general of the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) said that while younger recipients have been reported, Naman's 8 kg-at-5-years label makes it a challenging case. "An early transplant is best for a child as they don't tolerate dialysis well," he said. As for Naman, discharge is likely in a couple of days. "Naman couldn't join school as he was too tiny. But after six months, he will start school," said Monica. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Shortage of anti-rabies vaccine hits BMC hospitals
Mumbai: BMC-run hospitals and dispensaries are experiencing a shortage of anti-rabies vaccine for the past couple of weeks. Officials have directed health facilities to locally procure vials on a need basis until the issue is resolved. Peripheral hospitals have been hit the hardest. An official from Bhabha Hospital said that most hospitals in the suburbs treat about 30 to 40 rabies cases almost every day. Past data shows that annually the city reports about 70,000 dog bite cases. "This issue has been on and off since May. Insufficient stock was procured," said an official from another suburban hospital that serves patients from areas like Govandi and Mankhurd. BMC health officials said, "Local purchasing started just last week. Procurement usually happens through the central purchasing department, but that has not taken place." "The demand for Mumbai is about 36,000 vials every two months, but this time we only received 18,000 vials," said an official from the central store in Kanjurmarg, which supplies vaccines to BMC facilities. TNN
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mumbai hospitals face shortage of anti-rabies vaccine
Mumbai: BMC-run hospitals and dispensaries are experiencing a shortage of anti-rabies vaccine for the past couple of weeks. Officials have directed health facilities to locally procure vials on a need basis until the issue is resolved. Peripheral hospitals have been hit the hardest. An official from Bhabha Hospital said that most hospitals in the suburbs treat about 30 to 40 rabies cases almost every day. Past data shows that annually the city reports an estimated 70,000 dog bite cases. "This issue has been on and off since May. There was insufficient stock procured," said an official from another suburban hospital that serves patients from areas like Govandi and Mankhurd. BMC health officials said, "Local purchasing started just last week. Procurement usually happens through the Central Purchasing Department, but that has not taken place." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai There is a tender for the vaccine, which was extended due to a single bidder. "The demand for Mumbai is about 36,000 vials every two months, but this time we only received 18,000 vials. There is possibly an issue with the supplier over pending dues," said an official from the central store in Kanjurmarg, which supplies vaccines to BMC facilities. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Foul play' alleged over solo BMC MRI tenders
Mumbai: In several tenders over the last couple of years, only one MRI manufacturer bid to supply machines for all four BMC-run medical college hospitals. Insiders now allege that the tender's terms were manipulated to favour this manufacturer, effectively blocking other companies from competing. A technical team comprising heads of radiology departments is responsible for deciding the required specifications. "These specifications heavily favour Siemens in the bidding process over a number of other companies. At this point, there needs to be a departmental enquiry into it after many years of delay, which impacted patient care," said a senior radiologist at one of the BMC hospitals. For instance, the tender specifies certain machine requirements, like 64 channels (which receive signals from the body), a gradient strength of 62 to 200 millitesla per meter (which affects image resolution and scan speed), and a 3-tesla rating. These conditions exclude several other companies like Philips, which offers only 32 channels, and GE Healthcare, which does not feature high shimmering -- mentioned as a requirement in minutes of the health department's meeting -- but provides "auto shimmering" instead. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Moreover, the radiologist said that when another potential bidder, United Imaging, entered the picture, a new country-specific clause was introduced to disqualify it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Breakthrough "Skinny Pill" Takes Australia By Storm Her Life & Health Learn More Undo The tender floated this time states: "Magnet should be manufactured in the USA, Europe, or Japan." United Imaging manufactures this component in China. A Siemens Healthineers spokesperson said, "The tender's technical committee has engaged in multiple rounds of discussions with all prospective bidders. It is important to note that the specifications outlined in the tender are not unique to Siemens Healthineers. In fact, such units with comparable specifications have been procured by several government institutions across India." DMC (CPD) Sandhya Nandedkar said, "We extended it eight times because there was only a single bidder. Earlier tenders were cancelled due to higher quoted rates. The committee has been insisting that these requirements are necessary." One of the top former BMC officials said an earlier tender was set aside due to the lack of multi-bidder specifications. "It was turning out to be a more expensive endeavour as well. If the experts specifically wanted that particular machine for technical reasons, they could have opted for proprietary procurement instead of going through the farce of a tender process," said the official. Dr Neelam Andrade, Director of BMC Hospitals, said, "It was conveyed to all the HoDs that the terms should be such that multiple bidders can participate. We do not know why other companies chose not to come forward." A radiology HoD from one of the hospitals said, "We want to buy a high-end MRI for our poor patients, and we design the specifications accordingly. It's not that we want to favour Siemens; it's not our fault that no one else bids." A representative from one of the companies that participated in BMC's recent pre-bid meeting said, "One can bid only if there's a chance of winning. If the terms and conditions make it clear we won't win, we don't invest in the fees and earnest money deposits." BMC's AMC (health) Vipin Sharma and DMC (health) Sharad Ughade did not respond to queries till press time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Activists plan Aug 15 flag-hoisting to save shut-down BMC school in Mahim
Mumbai: Parents, alumni and local activists have come together to save a BMC-run school on New Mahim Road, which was vacated in June after the civic body declared the building unsafe. Concerned that the school could be demolished and never rebuilt, the group has decided to host a flag-hoisting ceremony on its premises on August 15 to raise awareness and send a message to the authorities. Mumbai, India - June 23, 2025:New Mahim Municipal English Primary School at Mahim, in Mumbai, India, on Monday, June 23, 2025. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) Local activist Pranali Raut, who is leading the 'Save School' campaign, said the decision was taken at a meeting held on Saturday. 'Around 20 to 25 parents, former students and local residents joined the meeting,' she said. 'We will organise a flag-hoisting ceremony on Independence Day in the school premises with students present. This is not just a symbolic act. We want to show the BMC that this school matters to our community.' The school, which has served the Mahim area for over 50 years, was last repaired in 2017. In July 2024, it was marked as C-2 grade—unsafe but repairable. But in January 2025, the same building was suddenly reclassified as C-1, meaning completely unsafe and ready for demolition. This quick change in classification has raised doubts among parents and activists. According to documents received by activists, BMC officials had recommended repairs on the third floor in November 2024 and even advised a second structural audit for confirmation. Despite this, the BMC education department decided to close the school and shift students to nearby schools. Activists say that no new school has been built nearby, and the Mori Road BMC school—which was demolished in 2019—also remains unreconstructed. Earlier BMC reports stated that the New Mahim school would only be demolished after the Mori Road school was rebuilt. One document from December 2024 also mentioned that relocating six schools in the Mahim area was not possible due to the lack of space in nearby schools. Deepak Pawar, founder of the language advocacy group Marathi Abhyas Kendra, questioned the BMC's handling of the issue. 'There is confusion in the reports,' he said. 'Some say the building can be repaired and others call it dilapidated. We are now demanding a fresh structural audit and want the school to be restarted.' Parents and community members worry that once the school is demolished, the area will permanently lose a much-needed educational space. Despite repeated attempts, BMC education officials remained unavailable for comment.
