In a significant move, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appointed an Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Health) for its four medical colleges. This appointment will be the first of its kind in 20 years.
Prashant Sapkale, the Assistant Municipal Commissioner of BMC's G-North ward, was appointed as the AMC (Health) on September 15. He will be overseeing the administrative work at the medical institutions in addition to his original role.
The decision comes in light of the increasing workload at BMC hospitals. There had been a need for administrative assistance to alleviate the burden on deans and medical staff.
The appointment is expected to allow deans to concentrate more on their clinical and research duties, thereby improving hospital operations. The four medical colleges that will fall under Sapkale's purview are 'LTMG Hospital and Medical College-Sion', 'Topiwala National Medical College and B. Y. L. Nair Charitable Hospital-Mumbai Central', 'HBT Medical College', and 'Dr. RN Cooper Municipal Hospital-Juhu.'
According to reports, the AMC would assist with engineering work in the hospitals and resolve manpower. It will also work on union-related issues and ensure sanitation and cleanliness.
This administrative position existed in the 1990s but was later eliminated. Since then, the deans have been juggling both roles with the help of deputy deans. The change now aligns BMC hospitals more closely with corporate hospitals, which have both a medical director and an administrator. The dedicated administrative person will handle HR and labour concerns.
The appointment will also expedite the certification process for BMC hospitals with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
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