Employees at KEM Hospital claim two to three dog bite incidents occur on the campus almost every day, raising serious questions over safety at one of Maharashtra’s busiest public hospitals. They allege that repeated complaints to the hospital administration and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have failed to curb the growing presence of stray dogs across the sprawling Parel facility.
Safety concerns mount
KEM Hospital caters to thousands of patients and their relatives daily, serving as a major tertiary care referral centre for Mumbai and several districts across Maharashtra. Doctors, nurses, resident medical officers, sanitation workers, security personnel, and support staff remain on-site round the clock, increasing the frequency of interactions with free-roaming animals.
According to employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stray dogs are frequently seen near the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) canteen, the Mercury building, the mortuary, older hospital blocks, internal roads, parking lots, and spaces where patients and relatives gather.
“On most days, there are at least two to three bite cases involving attendants, visitors, contractual workers, or even patients. Some are treated in the casualty ward, while others directly approach the Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) department for anti-rabies treatment,” a hospital employee said.
Staff members also claimed that some outdoor workers have suffered repeated dog bites. Packs are particularly active during the early morning and late-night hours, often chasing two-wheelers and occasionally ambulances. Relatives sleeping in open areas and patients moving between departments also regularly encounter the animals.
The problem extends beyond stray dogs, with employees alleging that the population of cats and rodents has also increased over the years.
Many attribute the issue to poor waste management following the large-scale distribution of free meals by charitable organisations and Good Samaritans. While acknowledging the importance of the initiative for economically vulnerable patients and their families, staff alleged that leftover food and disposable plates are often discarded in open areas instead of designated bins.
“The issue is not the food distribution itself, but what happens afterwards. Leftover food becomes a constant food source for stray animals,” another employee noted. Staff added that many relatives stay on the campus for extended periods due to affordable treatment, free meals, and open spaces to rest, inadvertently adding to the food waste that attracts animals.
Calls for action
Employees have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen waste management, ensure timely collection of food waste, identify areas where animals congregate, and improve coordination with the BMC’s veterinary department for sterilisation, vaccination, and managing aggressive animals. Some have also suggested deploying dedicated rapid-response teams to handle aggressive strays.
During the recent Maharashtra Legislative Assembly session, the state government noted that Mumbai has an estimated stray dog population of around 94,000. Industries Minister Uday Samant informed the House that three dedicated stray dog shelters are being planned and are expected to become operational within six months. Legislators also raised concerns over strays around public hospitals, emphasising that healthcare institutions require stricter safeguards.
Hospital dean Dr Harish Pathak could not be reached for comment.Animal welfare advocates, however, maintain that long-term population control cannot be achieved through the removal of dogs. Under the Animal Birth Control Rules, civic bodies are required to undertake sterilisation and vaccination, balancing public safety with animal welfare.
Source: https://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/kems-canine-crisis-1437135