Mumbai: Mobile Thefts, Unauthorised Persons Found Sleeping At Night In V N Desai Hospital

Mumbai: Rabina Khatun, a resident of Vakola, has alleged that her mobile phone was stolen while she was asleep outside the maternity ward at V. N. Desai Hospital in Santacruz (East). She was at the hospital attending to a relative when the theft occurred.

The incident reportedly took place during the night. Khatun discovered the theft the next morning and approached hospital staff requesting access to CCTV footage. However, the staff asked her to first lodge a police complaint before any footage could be reviewed.

Thefts Reported Every Fortnight, Say Activists

According to a local social activist, such theft incidents were once rampant at the hospital. While the frequency has reduced over time, the activist claimed that at least one or two cases are still reported every fortnight.

The hospital’s open premises and lack of overnight security monitoring have contributed to continued vulnerability for patients and attendants, particularly those staying overnight in public areas such as waiting rooms and ward entrances.

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Intruders Found Sleeping Inside Maternity Wing

Several patients have alleged that unidentified individuals have been found sleeping inside the hospital at night, particularly within the maternity wing, despite having no admitted relatives. These unauthorised presences have raised serious concerns about security enforcement during late hours.

The Gynaecology and Obstetrics department at V. N. Desai Hospital houses 70 beds and caters to a large number of women and children. The presence of unknown persons within the maternity ward poses risks to patient safety and comfort.

Hospital Serves High-Density Areas in Mumbai

V. N. Desai Hospital is a civic-run healthcare facility with an overall bed capacity of 254. It sees an OPD footfall of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 patients per day. The hospital caters to economically weaker areas such as Vakola, Kalina, Kurla, Khar East, and Bandra East.

For many residents in these neighbourhoods, the hospital is often the first or only available option for treatment. Yet, reports of theft and night-time intrusions reflect gaps in basic infrastructure and safety protocols.

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Civic Hospital Struggles With Multiple Issues

The security concerns come amid other reported issues at the hospital, including non-functional departments, suspended radiology services, and medicine shortages. Renovation-related relocations of wards have added to patient discomfort.

Attempts to reach Dr. Jairaj Acharya, Medical Superintendent of V. N. Desai Hospital, were unsuccessful. There was no response to messages sent to him.