25 new screening dispensaries in Mumbai

The Times of India reports that the BMC will start swine flu screening at 25 dispensaries, in addition to the network of designated BMC-run hospitals. Every municipal ward in the city will have a new centre. These dispensaries will screen people with flu-like symptoms and dispense doses of Tamiflu to those suspected of having contracted the H1N1 virus.

MARD puts off doctors' strike

PTI reports that the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has decided to postpone their indefinite strike, following an assurance from the state government, and in view of the swine flu situation.

Mumbai private hospitals start screening

The Times of India reports that several private hospitals in Mumbai have started screening & isolation of H1N1 cases. These hospitals are:

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Four Bunglows, Andheri (W)
Tel: 3099 9999
Web: www.kokilabenhospital.in
Screening started on 18th Aug, isolation ward ready

Breach Candy Hospital
60 A Bhulabhai Desai Road
Tel: 2367 1888
Web: www.breachcandyhospital.org
Screening started on OPD basis, ward to open on 21st Aug

Bombay Hospital
12, Marine Lines
Tel: 2206 7676
Web: www.bombayhospital.com

Godrej Memorial Hospital
Adjacent to Godrej Station side Colony
Pirojshanagar
Vikhroli (East
Tel: 6641 7053
Web: www.godrejhospital.com

Hiranandani Hospital
Hillside Avenue
Hiranandani Gardens
Powai
Tel: 2576 3300
Web: www.hiranandanihospital.org

Mira-Bhayander update

As of now, there is no swine flu screening facility in the Mira-Bhayander stretch. The Times of India reports that state health officials have visited Bhaktivedanta Hospital at Mira Road to ascertain the feasibility of setting up a screening centre. While the hospital says it cannot set up an isolation ward due to shortage of beds, at least a screening centre will provide some solace to the eight lakh residents of the city.

Time for our municipal bodies to get caught in the web

Thankfully, swine flu has not taken epidemic proportions and the paranoia seems to be subsiding.

It doesn't need a genius to figure out that timely and accurate information is absolutely critical in a situation like this. One of the quickest ways to disseminate accurate information is to have regular updates through the official websites. However, our municipal bodies seem blissfully unaware of this.

At the time of writing this, the municipal body websites have virtually no information on the flu.

Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (www.mcgm.gov.in)
Couldn't find much on the flu except a link to an old ad pdf on the homepage.
Update (19th Aug, 2009): MCGM has uploaded some information on its website.


Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (www.nmmconline.com)
Couldn't find any info on the flu

Thane Municipal Corporation
(www.thanemahapalika.com)
This website is flagged by Google as one that could harm your computer! So I didn't dare visiting the site.

More hospitals roped in

According to a Times Of India report, 11 more hospitals (10 private + 1 Railways') in the island city have been roped in for isolating and treating swine flu patients. These hospitals will soon start handling cases.

The hospitals are:

South Mumbai
Bombay Hospital
Breach Candy Hospital
Hurkisondas Hospital

Central Mumbai
Hinduja Hospital
Central Railway Hospital

Central (Eastern Suburbs)
Wockhardt Hospital
Inlaks Hospital
Hiranandani Hospital

Western Suburbs
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani (KDA) Hospital
Holy Family Hospital
Nanavati Hospital

Educational institutes & cinemas to remain closed

CNN-IBN reports that schools, colleges and coaching classes in Mumbai have been ordered to remain closed for 7 days (till 19th Aug). Cinemas and multiplexes have been ordered shut for 3 days (till 15th Aug).

19 private hospitals in Mumbai agree to set up isolation wards

According to a late evening report by Business Standard, 19 top private hospitals in Mumbai have agreed to set up isolation wards for swine flu patients. Government health teams will be sent to these hospitals for inspection and once they give clearance, these hospitals can start admitting patients.

Update (12 Aug, 2009): The Times of India reports that 21 additional hospitals (19 private + 2 govt) showed their willingness to screen and treat patients. It will take a week for these hospitals to be operational.

These hospitals deserve kudos, especially when many hospitals in other parts of the country are reluctant to take on the responsibility.

Update (13 Aug, 2009): The Times of India reports that five teams in Mumbai have started the inspection of private hospitals. They will complete the inspection in a couple of days. These hospitals have offered a total of 174 beds.

Update (15 Aug, 2009): DNA reports that of the 19 private hospitals, 9 have been rejected by the government for failing to meet the norms, and 10 have been given the nod.

Mumbai Helpline is 108

Well, Mumbai has a helpline (108) but it's almost impossible to get to talk to a human being on that line.

All you get to hear is "the executive agent is currently busy, please call back later" and a disconnection click.

So let's not clog this already-jammed helpline anymore. There's enough information already available on the web. Be informed, take precautions, do not panic, do not spread panic and stay safe.

Thane centres

ExpressIndia reports that screening and isolation centres have been set up in three hospitals in Thane:

District Civil Hospital
Tembhi Naka
Near Thane Head Post Office
Thane
Ph: 25472562, 25341409

Kores Hospital
Lokmanyanagar

Chhatrapati Shivaji Hospital & Rajiv Gandhi Medical College
Old Belapur Road
Kalwa
Ph: 25372774

Navi Mumbai centres

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has advised people suspicious of having contracted Swine flu to get in touch with any of the following organisations:

Nearest Urban Health Centre
The list of Mumbai screening centres is here. The Thane list is here.

NMMC Hospital
Vashi
Ph: 27899905, 27899906

NMMC Head Office
CBD Belapur
Ph: 27573781, 27578838, 27578839

Mother and Child Hospital
Nerul (Ph: 27700376 / 1808)
Turbhe (Ph: 27830827 / 6692)
Koparkhairane (Ph: 27543577 / 4655)
Airoli (Ph: 27690561, 27600678)

Update (28 August, 2009): From this TOI report, it looks like the following hospital in Navi Mumbai has also started screening & isolation facilities:
Dr D Y Patil Hospital
Sector 5, Nerul
Ph: 2771 6677
Web: http://www.dypatilhospital.net/

Designated Govt Hospitals in Mumbai for Swine Flu screening

Update (12 Aug, 2009): As of this morning, there are 13 designated hospitals in Mumbai for swine flu screening. All 13 are government hospitals managed by the BMC.

Kasturba Hospital
Arthur Road
Sane Guruji Marg
Ph: 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889
Isolation ward available (Info source: This TOI report)

Sir JJ Hospital
J J Marg
Byculla
Ph- 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400, 23731144/5555/23701393/1366

Rajawadi Hospital
Rajawadi Road
Ghatkopar East
Ph: 2509 4151, 2509 4153, 2509 4150, 2509 4149

Bhagwati Hospital
Tulsibaug
S.V. Road
Borivali (West)
Ph: 28932461, 28932462, 28932463

M T Agarwal Hospital
Dr. R.P. Road
Mulund (West)
Ph: 25605727, 25605730, 25640767
Isolation ward available (Info source: This TOI report)

Siddharth Hospital
M Gandhi Marg
Goregaon (West)
Ph: 28782889, 28766885/86, 26362726
Isolation ward available (Info source: This TOI report)

Cooper Hospital
Irla Juhu Link Road
Vile Parle (West)
Ph: 26205897, 26207254 / 56 / 58

VN Desai Hospital
Golibar Road
Opp Santacruz Gymkhana
Santacruz (East)
Ph: 26182081, 26183018, 26151560

SK Patil Hospital
Daftary Road
Malad (East)
Ph: 28894381, 28899447

Bandra Bhabha Hospital
Waterfield Road
Bandra (West)
Ph: 26422775,

Kurla Bhabha Hospital
Kurla (West)
Ph: 25520333, 25520334

Centenary (Shatabdi) Hospital
Waman Tukaram Pat Marg
Govandi (East)
Ph: 25564070

Mahatma Phule Hospital
Kannamwar Nagar
Vikhroli (East)
Ph: 25782283, 25415948, 25783940

For Thane centres, click here. For Navi Mumbai, click here.