Latest news with #Medhekar
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Dr Sudhir Medhekar reinstated as Cooper college's academic dean three days after removal
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday reinstated Dr Sudhir Medhekar as the academic dean of HBT Medical College and Dr RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital, just three days after he was removed from the position. Dr Sudhir Medhekar reinstated as Cooper college's academic dean three days after removal Dr Medhekar was relieved of his duties on July 23 by deputy municipal commissioner (public health) Sharad Ughade following allegations of administrative irregularities. He was stripped of all administrative and financial powers and confined to his original role in the dermatology department, as a probe was initiated into alleged lapses at various levels of the college's administration. In the interim, Dr Neelam Andrade, director of all BMC-run hospitals, was given charge of administrative responsibilities at Cooper. However, BMC officials had indicated to Hindustan Times that the decision to remove Dr Medhekar was under review. On Friday, the BMC formally reinstated him as the academic head of the college, in charge of overseeing its educational functions. 'After deliberation, we have decided that Dr Sudhir Medhekar will continue as academic dean,' a senior BMC official said. 'However, we have received multiple complaints regarding administrative issues in the college. These will be investigated, and the next course of action will be based on the findings.' Dr Andrade will continue as administrative dean, handling day-to-day operations of the hospital. Dr Medhekar declined to comment on the development. Among the faculty, opinion about Dr Medhekar is divided. Some colleagues described him as a disciplined administrator who ensured timely completion of tasks. 'He was strict, but he got things done,' said a senior doctor at the college. However, other officials had earlier raised concerns about his management style. One senior BMC officer alleged irregularities in tenders and contracts during Dr Medhekar's tenure, claiming that delays in contractor payments had disrupted hospital services and led to threats of strikes from some staffers. Resident doctors also expressed dissatisfaction over the state of administrative affairs. One pointed to a lack of coordination between committees and minimal visible improvements despite frequent staff reshuffles. 'If he was strict, at least there would have been some results on the ground,' said a resident doctor, requesting anonymity. Doctors also flagged long-standing issues such as pay disparities between resident doctors from Diplomate of National Board (DNB) programmes and those from MD-MS courses. While DNB doctors work on contract, their MD-MS counterparts are full-time employees, leading to frustration and recent representations to the municipal commissioner. Contractual cleaning staff, too, have reportedly not been paid in over four months, adding to the administrative discontent. 'He frequently transferred and suspended administrative personnel, which worsened manpower shortages and disrupted functioning,' another resident said. The BMC's investigation into the complaints continues even as Dr Medhekar resumes academic responsibilities at the college.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Cooper Hospital dean suspended over administrative irregularities
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered the removal of the dean of HBT Medical College and Dr RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital, Dr Sudhir Medhekar, from his position after receiving complaints of administrative irregularities. Dr Sudhir Medhekar has been asked to perform only his academic duties as the head of the department of dermatology, according to the BMC order. A letter issued by the deputy municipal commissioner (public health), Sharad Ughade, on Tuesday stated that all of Dr Medhekar's administrative and financial powers have been withdrawn until further orders. The BMC has also ordered an inquiry into 'various irregularities found at the administrative and other levels' at the civic hospital and medical college in Juhu, the order said. Following this, Neelam Andrade, director of major BMC hospitals, will, in coordination with Ughade, perform all the responsibilities and duties of the college dean. Dr Medhekar has been asked to perform only his academic duties as the head of the department of dermatology, according to the order. 'This matter is still under review. He is temporarily suspended from his duties as dean,' said a BMC official, requesting anonymity. Dr Medhekar did not respond to HT's messages and calls for comment. While the BMC order did not specify the alleged irregularities, according to several sources at Cooper Hospital, contractual workers, including cleaning and clerical staff members, were not paid their salaries for the last four months. The staff members repeatedly contacted the administration regarding this, but the dean allegedly did not respond. 'We suspected wrongdoing on contracts and tenders issued by him, due to which the hospital administration was suffering,' said a senior BMC official, requesting anonymity. 'He was not paying contractors, which led to them threatening a strike. The hospital's functioning had taken a hit. With it being one of the major hospitals in the western suburbs, it was causing a problem in medical work. He lacks administrative skills.' Senior resident doctors were also allegedly not paid according to the Maharashtra government's March 2024 order increasing their stipend by ₹10,000. This had led to severe frustration, with many doctors even writing to the state government and the BMC seeking help. Doctors who had cleared their Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in medicine and DNB diploma courses were also allegedly never handed their employment order to work as residents in the hospital. They were hired as contractual staff and worked over 12 hours, manning the shift timings of a full-time resident in the hospital, said a resident at the hospital, who requested anonymity, fearing backlash. 'They are paid extremely low salaries, even around ₹15,000, as they are contractual workers. They do not have any documentation, which has led to a problem as MDMS residents get paid at least six times more than them,' added the resident. These hurdles greatly affected regular functioning at the civic hospital, with an unhappy administration adding to the manpower shortage hurdles faced regularly. 'Many of the residents couldn't even threaten strikes because of the work they had to do owing to the manpower shortage,' said the resident. The residents then approached deputy municipal commissioner (public health) Ughade, additional municipal commissioner (public health) Vipin Sharma, and municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, seeking help in this regard.
