Mumbai's St George's Hospital Upgraded Mortuary Set for February Inauguration
The much-anticipated upgraded mortuary at St George's Hospital, located near CSMT in Mumbai, is scheduled to be inaugurated in the second week of February. While the exact date remains to be finalised, this development marks a significant milestone in improving healthcare infrastructure in the city. The project, which was initially launched back in 2018, has undergone various phases of construction and renovation to reach this stage.
Enhanced Facilities and Capacity
According to Dr Vinayak Sawardekar, the medical superintendent of the hospital, the new mortuary boasts an increased capacity to store up to 24 bodies. This upgrade is expected to greatly assist the relatives of deceased individuals by facilitating smoother postmortem procedures and storage. One of the standout features of the renovated facility is a dedicated viewing gallery for medical students, which will serve as an educational resource for aspiring healthcare professionals.
Overcoming Delays and Encroachments
Dr Sawardekar noted that repair work on the mortuary began before his tenure at the hospital started in 2022. The project faced slight delays initially, but progress accelerated once funding was secured and surrounding encroachments were addressed. Specifically, there were five encroachments in the area, with three being relocated nearby and two completely removed. In fact, the final encroachment was dismantled just the previous week, clearing the way for the project's completion.
Citizen-Led Initiative and Support
The revamp of the mortuary was largely driven by the efforts of Colaba-resident Renu Kapoor, who initiated the 'Dignity in Death' campaign after visiting the hospital in 2017 to collect a postmortem report for her driver. Her advocacy highlighted the poor condition of the previous facility, which was described as a rundown shed with a broken door and no ice factory. Kapoor's campaign received crucial support from MLA Rahul Narwekar and former corporator Makarand Narwekar, who helped push the project forward.
Kapoor has hailed this achievement as a victory for citizens, emphasizing the transformation from a dilapidated structure to a stable, modern facility with pristine white walls and a viewing gallery. This upgrade not only enhances the hospital's services but also reflects a broader commitment to improving public health infrastructure in Mumbai.
