Amit Srivastava

Mumbai reported a 28% rise in dengue cases and an 18% increase in malaria infections between January 1 and July 14 compared with the same period last year, according to the BMC. The civic body has intensified surveillance, mosquito-control measures and public health interventions while advising residents to prevent water stagnation and seek prompt medical care for fever.

An abandoned infant was found dead inside a women's washroom at BMC-run Dr R.N. Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle on July 13. BMC said the infant was examined by a medical officer and later handed over to police for post-mortem. Juhu Police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the case.

The Maharashtra FDA has launched an AI-enabled grievance portal that allows citizens to file complaints through voice recordings or text messages in Marathi, Hindi and English. The platform automatically assigns complaints, tracks their progress and escalates unresolved cases, aiming to improve transparency, accountability and faster grievance redressal across FDA-regulated sectors.

NABL has said allegations of "ghost pathologists" in accredited diagnostic laboratories will be examined during its ongoing surveillance and reassessment process after a public grievance.

IMA Maharashtra announced a 24-hour withdrawal of routine healthcare services on July 20 over the alleged attack on doctors and staff at Shastrinagar Municipal Hospital, Dombivli. Outpatient services, elective surgeries and non-emergency care will remain suspended, while emergency and life-saving treatments continue.

Milk vendors have urged the FDA to reconsider its ban on loose milk sales, saying it could affect the livelihoods of nearly 15 lakh people. The delegation also sought time to comply with new packaging norms and requested continued sale of fresh milk supplied directly from cattle sheds.

BMC Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhandirge inspected KEM Hospital in Parel at midnight in disguise, alleging emergency care lapses including delays and absent doctors. Bhandirge ordered an inquiry after a patient reportedly waited nine-and-a-half hours for admission. KEM Dean Dr Harish Pathak rejected the claims, saying tests and consultations caused the waiting period, not treatment delays.

According to FDA officials, the canteen was found to be functioning in unhygienic conditions in violation of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. Based on the findings, the Food Safety Officer issued a Stop Business Notice, while the Designated Officer suspended the food business licence with immediate effect.

Leader of the Opposition in the BMC, Kishori Pednekar, made the demand after inspecting the three hospitals along with party leaders. She alleged that the BJP-led state government and the civic administration were attempting to privatise public healthcare by entrusting the management of the hospitals to private agencies.

During the inspection, FDA officials found expired stocks of white compound chocolate of various reputed brands and calcium propionate powder, a preservative used in bread making. The expired stock, valued at Rs 3,059, was seized and destroyed on the spot.