Latest news with #KEM
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Surge in viral, respiratory infections after pre-monsoon showers
MUMBAI: The city is witnessing a marked rise in seasonal infections—ranging from high-grade fever and dry cough to throat irritation, fatigue and respiratory distress—following a sudden spell of pre-monsoon rainfall over the past five days. Health experts and clinicians across the city have flagged this uptick as a direct consequence of erratic weather, increased humidity and stagnant water accumulation, all of which create a fertile environment for viral and bacterial growth, particularly affecting the respiratory tract. Mumbai witnessed an intense spell of unseasonal rainfall this week, marking the city's wettest May since 2021. Between Tuesday and Thursday morning, the Santacruz observatory recorded 34 mm of rainfall, nearly four times the city's average for the entire month of May. 'This shift from dry heat to high humidity within days disrupts the body's ability to regulate temperature and fight infections,' said Dr B A Chaurasia, consultant in internal medicine at Kokilaben Hospital. 'We are now seeing a consistent increase in respiratory infections—particularly upper respiratory tract issues like viral pharyngitis, bronchitis and flu.' Public hospitals such as KEM, Nair and Sion have reported a 30–40% increase in outpatient consultations in the past week. Many patients complain of lingering fatigue and a persistent cough that lasts beyond the usual viral cycle. 'At Sion Hospital alone, we've seen a significant jump in OPD cases, especially those involving fever, throat pain and severe fatigue,' said Dr Mohan Joshi, dean of the BMC-run Sion Hospital. 'While most cases are viral and self-limiting, a few patients—particularly senior citizens and those with diabetes or asthma—have developed complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, requiring hospitalisation.' Dr Raj Kishore Agarwal, senior consultant in general medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, said, 'In just five days, we've seen a noticeable shift in patient profiles. What started as isolated flu cases is now a wave—especially in the elderly and those with diabetes and asthma. Fluctuating weather stresses the immune system and enables rapid viral spread.' Clinically, such transitional weather patterns weaken mucosal barriers in the respiratory tract, making it easier for airborne pathogens to invade. The combination of moisture-laden air, cooler evenings and damp clothing after exposure to rain further aggravates the condition. 'Respiratory viruses thrive in humid environments,' said Dr Gautam Bhansali, consultant physician at Bombay Hospital. 'The pre-monsoon rain has created ideal conditions for rhinoviruses and influenza strains to circulate widely. These pathogens survive longer in moist air and spread faster in crowded urban settings like Mumbai.' From an epidemiological standpoint, pre-monsoon periods have increasingly become fertile ground for infections that previously peaked only in winter or during the monsoon. Experts suggest that this change may be a direct outcome of climate variability, which is expanding and shifting traditional disease windows. The BMC has urged residents to remain cautious and follow preventive protocols such as hand hygiene, mask usage and timely vaccination—especially for those at higher risk. 'People must understand that even short-term rains can create long-term health impacts,' said a senior BMC health officer. 'We are reinforcing community-level alerts and ramping up our fever surveillance network.' Doctors are also advising residents to avoid self-medication and seek professional help if symptoms persist beyond three to five days. They warn that ignoring flu-like symptoms could lead to complications, particularly in those with chronic respiratory or metabolic conditions. With IMD forecasting more unseasonal showers in the coming week and an early monsoon onset expected by May 27, healthcare providers are bracing for continued spikes in seasonal infections. As the city adjusts to this sudden shift in weather, clinicians emphasise the importance of early diagnosis, rest, hydration and cautious exposure to rain and damp environments.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
KEM's free rehab centre emerges as lifeline amid rising substance addiction
MUMBAI: At 24, a young auto driver from Dharavi found himself struggling with alcoholism. Over time, his dependence on booze took a toll on his family—his wife had to pawn her jewellery, their five-year-old son dropped out of school, and the burden of daily expenses pushed the household into financial hardship. After a serious accident and a long recovery, he turned to the de-addiction centre at KEM Hospital for help. Sitting by his bedside, his wife recalled, 'Alcohol changed him. He wasn't the same person anymore.' The auto driver's story echoes the experiences of many others who visit KEM's psychiatry department in search of support and healing. Families from modest backgrounds regularly walk into the hospital's de-addiction OPD, each carrying their own version of this quiet crisis. Established over 30 years ago, KEM's de-addiction centre remains the only civic-run facility in Mumbai offering free and sustained treatment for substance dependence. Unlike private rehabilitation centres that charge substantial fees, KEM provides both in-patient and outpatient care at no cost. The hospital expanded its in-patient bed capacity to 45 last year to meet the growing demand. The centre witnessed a significant increase in patient load in 2024. There were 1,229 new OPD registrations that year—double the 609 recorded in 2023. Follow-up visits also rose from 8,788 in 2023 to 11,175 in 2024, reflecting greater continuity in care and an increase in returning patients. Interestingly, while OPD cases saw a sharp rise, indoor admissions remained fairly consistent, with 199 patients admitted in 2023 and 191 in 2024. The hospital's drug de-addiction laboratory also saw a sharp jump in testing activity. In 2024, the lab handled 15,100 samples—up from the previous year's total, which primarily consisted of urine tests for alcohol, morphine and cannabis. Of the 2024 tests, 9,100 samples tested positive for alcohol, 265 for nicotine and 5,735 for other substances, including marijuana and opioids. Doctors at the centre have observed a shift in the age profile of those seeking treatment. Between January and April 2025 alone, nearly 200 patients in the 18–30 age group registered—more than any other demographic. There were 47 patients aged from 31 to 45 while smaller numbers were recorded among teenagers and older adults. 'Substance use among teenagers and young adults has been on the rise,' said Dr Shilpa Adarkar, additional professor of psychiatry at KEM. 'Earlier, we mostly saw alcohol or tobacco-related issues. Now, we are seeing increased cases of marijuana and MDMA use, sometimes even in children as young as 14.' Dr Sangeeta Ravat, dean of KEM Hospital, attributes the growing footfall to better outreach and awareness. 'Our teams regularly visit schools and conduct community counselling sessions,' she said. 'This helps families identify early signs and encourages them to seek help.' Doctors emphasise that addiction affects both mental and physical health. Over time, it can lead to depression, anxiety, cognitive issues and social withdrawal. 'It disrupts a person's ability to live fully—academically, socially and emotionally,' said psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty, who regularly counsels students in Mumbai schools. Confidentiality remains a cornerstone of the centre's approach. Doctors do not report illegal drug use to law-enforcement agencies. 'Patients won't return if they fear legal consequences. Our job is to treat; the police can track peddlers separately,' a senior doctor explained. Family counselling is a key component of recovery support. 'We advise families on how to create a stable environment—reducing triggers, handling money carefully and encouraging routine. Recovery needs structure,' said Dr Ajita Nayak, head of psychiatry. Dr Nayak also stressed the importance of parental involvement in prevention. 'Peer pressure, academic stress and media glamorisation of substance use are all powerful triggers,' she said. 'Parents must stay engaged—ask questions, listen, and spend time with their children.' As the number of new cases at the de-addiction centre continues to rise—showing nearly a 100% increase in OPD registrations from 2023 to 2024—KEM Hospital remains a vital public institution offering accessible addiction care to some of Mumbai's most vulnerable communities.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Borivali to get clinic, diagnostic and dialysis centre under BMC's PPP model
MUMBAI: The BMC is set to operationalise a new clinic and a diagnostic and dialysis centre in Borivali West under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The facility, housed in a two-storey building located in Punjabi Galli, was originally constructed for this before the COVID-19 pandemic but was repurposed as a quarantine centre for asymptomatic patients during the outbreak. A senior BMC official, requesting anonymity, said, 'Patients often have to travel long distances and wait in long queues at tertiary hospitals for specialty services. This centre will help reduce that burden by providing consultations and diagnostics locally at affordable rates, saving both time and transport costs for residents.' According to BMC health department sources, a tender has already been floated for the project, which will run on a 30-year PPP basis. The centre will offer a wide range of services, from general outpatient consultations to advanced radiological and pathological diagnostics, under one roof. General OPD consultations will be priced at ₹10, while specialty and super-specialty consultations will cost ₹293 and ₹345 respectively. The facility will be equipped with a diagnostic unit offering X-ray, ECG, sonography, CT scan, MRI, mammography, and pulmonary function tests, all at rates approved by the BMC. Apart from this, the clinic will provide medical consultations across disciplines such as gynaecology, cardiology, internal medicine and urology. Testing costs for hundreds of procedures have been fixed in advance, with services to be delivered at par with civic rates. As per the proposed plan, the ground floor will include registration counters, general and specialty OPDs, and a radiology unit along with a generic pharmacy. The first floor will accommodate superspecialty OPDs, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and laboratories for advanced pathology, microbiology and endocrinology. The second floor will be designated for dialysis services and dental care. The rollout of services is time-bound. The private operator selected through the tender process will be required to launch OPD services within four months, followed by basic pathology and radiology within six months, and CT and MRI services within nine months. The facility is intended to reduce the patient load at tertiary public hospitals such as KEM, Nair and Sion by offering advanced diagnostics and consultations at a local level. To ensure fair access, a Special Duty Officer will be appointed. Concessional rates will be extended to Mumbai-based ration-card holders and BMC employees.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Soon, KEM resident doctors to have another hostel
Mumbai: One of the three proposed hostel buildings on the Acworth Leprosy Hospital campus, intended to house nearly 1,200 resident doctors from KEM Hospital , is nearing completion and is expected to open within the next few months, according to hospital authorities. For years, resident doctors raised concerns about the lack of adequate hostel accommodation , citing overcrowded conditions and the strain of long commutes after demanding shifts. Currently, KEM offers two hostels on its campus: one for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and another for resident medical officers (RMOs). Additional facilities at Sewri, Prabhadevi, and Currey Road are also available, but these too are reportedly cramped and inadequate. "These hostels become especially problematic for doctors working long hours, and more so for women who often have to travel at odd hours. Once the new hostel opens, it will ease the pressure by allowing on-campus accommodation to those who need it most," said a resident doctor from KEM Hospital The new complex at Acworth spans 2,064.66 sq mt within the 69,000-sq mt campus. It was constructed on the site of a demolished OPD building and is divided into three wings. KEM Dean Dr Sangeeta Ravat confirmed that the first building is expected to be ready by July. "It will primarily be allocated to undergraduate students, as postgraduate students are prioritised for on-campus housing," she said. The issue of substandard hostel facilities isn't limited to KEM. A resident doctor from Sion Hospital noted similar problems across BMC-run hospitals. "The conditions are poor everywhere. A new 15-storey hostel building near Sion Hospital is also under construction, and we've been told it will be handed over this year," the doctor said, adding that half of the building will be designated for nursing students.
