The medical education department, led by rebel NCP leader Hasan Mushrif, has woken up to mismanagement in government-run St George Hospital only after speaker Rahul Narwekar’s surprise visit. Narwekar’s visit to the hospital, which is part of his assembly constituency, came following a series of complaints and he was stunned to find that most of the doctors who were supposed to be on duty were absent, basic medicines were not available, and stray dogs and cats were all over.

Narwekar took the administration to task, and asked Mushrif to take immediate measures and ensure that poor patients do not suffer hardship.

Why did Narwekar have to visit the hospital? Is it the job of the speaker to check the availability of staff and medicines at the hospital? A former dean felt a lack of supervision and dereliction of duty at all levels were to blame for the situation at the hospital. During the pandemic, the performance of the hospital was outstanding; certain departments were among the best in the city.

Significantly, medical education commissioner Rajeev Niwatkar, a senior bureaucrat, and director of medical education Dilip Mhaisekar have their offices in the hospital building, while medical education secretary Dinesh Waghmare has his office in the neighbouring GT Hospital. The former dean said no one remembers when Niwatkar, Mhaisekar or Waghmare last visited St George or JJ Hospital. Had they taken adequate care, there would have been no need for Narwekar to visit St George Hospital and take the erring staff to task.

Conspicuous by absence

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s political influence appears to be dwindling. A powerful Maratha leader, Ajit Pawar did not turn up for the launch of the cane crushing season at Malegaon cooperative sugar factory in his hometown Baramati amid Maratha groups’ threat to block his entry. According to some reports, he did not attend the event since he was unwell. NCP working president Praful Patel posted on X that Ajit Pawar has dengue and had cancelled all engagements till his recovery.

Ever since activist Manoj Jarange-Patil launched an indefinite hunger strike to press his demand for Maratha reservation and asked his followers not to allow politicians into villages, Maratha activists have become more aggressive. In just the last four days, they have gone on a rampage and damaged several cars in Marathwada region.