Expecting mothers face long waits for doctor consultation

Navi Mumbai:  Pregnant women visiting Rajmata Jijau Hospital in Airoli are reportedly facing significant delays due to shortage of gynaecologists. With only one gynaecologist available to handle the examinations, women are enduring waits of up to six hours, leading to calls for additional medical staff to address the issue.

The Rajmata Jijau Hospital, part of the network of municipal hospitals established by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), caters to a large number of patients daily. Despite this, the hospital struggles with inadequate staffing, which has led to considerable inconvenience for patients. On any given day, approximately 200 to 250 pregnant women come to the hospital for their examinations. The single gynecologist on duty is overwhelmed by the volume of patients, resulting in extended wait times.

Patients have also reported issues with the behavior of the hospital staff, adding to the distress experienced by these women. Many pregnant women are forced to spend several hours. To add to their difficulties, the hospital lacks basic amenities such as a cafeteria and water to drink.

 Priya Bhujbal, a local resident from Koparkhairane, expressed her frustration: “Pregnant women come here for examinations, but with only one gynecologist, they have to wait for five or six hours. It’s unreasonable to expect women to endure such long waits without adequate food and drink. There is an urgent need for more gynecologists at this facility.”

The demand for an additional gynecologist has been growing stronger among the patients. The lack of sufficient medical personnel not only affects the quality of care but also places undue stress on expectant mothers.

Attempts to contact Dr. Prashant Javade, MOH NMMC for a response on the matter were unsuccessful.