In JJ, now every bed will have oxygen

Ensuring adherence to medical ethics and standards in Maharashtra, Dr. Pallavi Saple, Dean of 180-year-old Sir Jamshedji Jejeebhoy Hospital, has been instrumental in shaping the hospital’s vision and direction. In 2019, she made history by becoming the youngest dean of the state-run hospital since Independence. She oversees the J.J. campus, which spans over 48 acres. She has been appointed as one of the members of the National Taskforce constituted by the Supreme Court to look after safety measures at hospitals. In an exclusive conversation with ‘The Perfect Voice’s Special Correspondent Swapnil R. Mishra Dr. Saple discussed the government’s plans to enhance safety measures on the J.J. Hospital campus, especially amid recent strikes by resident doctors. The hospital, which has not experienced major violent incidents in recent years, faces security challenges due to its large campus and multiple entry points. Excepts…

SC has appointed you as one of the members of the National Task Force constituted for the safety of doctors. What measures or guidelines will be made, and has the National Task Force held any meetings?

I am glad to be one of the members of the National Task Force constituted by the Supreme Court after the Kolkata incident. A preliminary meeting was conducted with the Cabinet Secretary, and they have formed four sub-committees. I have been responsible for looking after security-related issues. The first meeting of the sub-committee has also been in which we decided that if any stakeholders want to give suggestions or input, they should upload it on the web portal. In the next meeting, we will discuss the inputs provided by stakeholders and the input will be submitted to the authorities. Moreover, we will submit a report in the next few days as the period given is three weeks, which has not been completed.

What are the government’s plans to enhance safety measures on the J.J. Hospital campus and other state-run hospitals?

Coincidentally, two days before the Kolkata incident, a regular meeting was held with the security committee of J.J. Hospital, which looked after the hospital’s safety measures, inputs, and CCTV. We also called a senior inspector from the local police station officer, who pointed out the vantage points or loopholes and gave his suggestions for improving the safety of the hospital. Moreover, police and Nirbhaya Pathak keep patrolling places that were pinpointed from our side. We are also revamping our panic alarm, which will be set up across the hospital. Currently, the hospital employs 179 security guards and operates 667 CCTV cameras. We plan to increase these numbers by adding 150 guards and 600 cameras.

What modern technology or equipment is likely to be introduced in J.J Hospital? How will the new cutting-edge virtual anatomy dissection table and modern technology that the hospital has introduced help in medical studies?

Sir J.J. Hospital is one of the country’s premier and first medical colleges. We will also start robotic surgery in orthopaedic and general surgery, as the first laparoscopy in India was done in this hospital. Our students are getting laparoscopy exposure, but there is a need for robotic surgery exposure. We also offer hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which is particularly beneficial for neurosurgery and gangrene patients. Moreover, our super speciality hospital building, which will be primarily ready by next year, will have more advanced facilities, including oncology, rheumatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology departments will be started. The current batch of medical students couldn’t get the experience of virtual anatomy dissection as it had come three weeks ago, and all had gone for exams. However, the new batch, which will start on October 14, will get the machines exposed.

How is J.J Hospital planning to revamp its infrastructure, especially after the strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for better infrastructure, but J.J. Hospital’s redevelopment is long overdue. We are building a new super-speciality centre and upgrading the old building, including ICUs and operation theatres, to enhance patient care and reduce infection risks. Every bed will now be an oxygen bed, and some wards are being converted into high-dependency units to provide better care for patients who need CPAP.

As J.J. Hospital is a 180-year-old state-run hospital, what changes have you seen?

The introduction of new specialisations has significantly expanded our MD and MS programs.

In 2017, we had 127 annual admissions; now, we have 309. Courses in Geriatrics, Immunohematology, Interventional Cardiology, and Emergency Medicine reflect the evolving demands of healthcare. Our decades-old facility is being updated to support four new specialised courses: MD in Geriatrics,MDin Immunohematology,DM in Interventional Cardiology, and MD in Emergency Medicine

How will the antimicrobial paint adopted by J.J. Hospital help to fight infection, and what protective layer will it provide to patients?

Already a success within Israel’s healthcare system, the Israel embassy approached J.J. Hospital to introduce this technology. The QUACTIV technology integrated into the paint offers continuous protection against harmful microorganisms as long as the paint remains on the walls. This technology provides an additional layer of protection for our patients, which is essential for preventing infections and maintaining a safe environment.

Additionally, our microbiologists will inspect the efficacy of the paint both before and after its application to ensure its effectiveness.