Ebola threat: BMC sets up 10-bed isolation ward in Kasturba hospital
Mumbai, May 29
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has proactively put Mumbai's healthcare system on high alert following the World Health Organisation's declaration of an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa as a public health emergency.
While health officials emphasise that there is currently no Ebola outbreak or community transmission in India, the BMC has initiated strict precautionary and surveillance measures to prevent any potential entry or spread of the virus.
The BMC has designated Kasturba Hospital as the primary isolation facility for any suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever. Kasturba serves as Mumbai's specialised infectious diseases hub and has been equipped to handle strict isolation protocols.
A special 10‑bed isolation ward has been set up at the city's primary infectious diseases centre, Kasturba Hospital.
Following Kasturba Hospital, a special 8‑bed isolation ward has also been established at Mumbai's Cama Hospital.
Mumbai's Deputy Mayor, Sanjay Ghadi, stated that the BMC is fully prepared and there is no need for the public to panic. He said arrangements for beds have been made at Mumbai's Kasturba Hospital, and similar arrangements will be made at other hospitals across the city in the near future.
The BMC administration has issued directives across major municipal medical colleges, including KEM, Sion, Nair and Cooper hospitals, to prepare their teams and establish readiness protocols.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has issued a formal advisory outlining standard infection prevention and control practices for frontline medical staff.
Strict emphasis has been placed on rigorous hand hygiene and universal precautions during patient interactions. MARD has mandated precise adherence to clinical waste disposal laws to eliminate accidental contamination vectors.
The advisory clarifies that Ebola is not airborne in ordinary community settings (unlike COVID‑19 or influenza) and spreads strictly through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or heavily contaminated medical equipment/surfaces.
Frontline workers are instructed to be situationally ready without creating unnecessary anxiety.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Hope they also train the staff properly. Last time during COVID, many hospitals were not ready. But I appreciate that Kasturba Hospital is being used as the primary centre - it has experience with infectious diseases.
Thank God they clarified that Ebola is not airborne! 😌 Too many false rumours were spreading on WhatsApp groups. People need to trust official sources and not panic unnecessarily.
I'm a doctor at one of these hospitals and I can confirm the preparedness is genuine. MARD advisory is thorough. But we need more investment in PPE and waste disposal systems across all civic hospitals, not just major ones.
BMC doing good work for Mumbai. But what about other cities in Maharashtra? Pune and Nagpur also have international airports. Hope state government extends this to all major districts.
From someone who lived through the 2014 outbreak - these measures are sensible. The fact that they're setting up isolation wards and training staff early is excellent. India has learned from COVID.
Just one question - why only 10 beds in Kasturba? If there is an outbreak, that won't be enough. But I'm glad they're at least starting somewhere. Let's hope it never reaches that stage. 🙏
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