The absence of technical staff has also rendered key medical machines like CT scanners, ECGs, and X-ray units only partially functional.(Representational Image: Pexel)Written by Kartika JamdarA lapse in staff contract renewals has led to disruptions in several critical services at the Byculla Railway Hospital, including the temporary shutdown of the dialysis unit and limited functioning of diagnostic equipment.Every year, contracts for around a third of the hospital’s workforce — including technicians, nurses, doctors and cleaning staff — expire on June 30. A brief gap in renewal is considered routine. “We expect a seven-day break every year during renewal,” said Sushma Matey from the Medical Directorate. “It’s routine. If we are unable to provide some services, we ask patients to relocate temporarily.”However, this year since June 30, the hospital’s dialysis unit, which had about 60 patients, has been completely shut. “My sister is in a critical condition. We were told to take her all the way to Kalyan,” said a former railway employee. A nurse at the unit confirmed new patients are being turned away and admitted patients are being transferred to other hospitals in ambulances.The absence of technical staff has also rendered key medical machines like CT scanners, ECGs, and X-ray units only partially functional. A hospital support staff reported that even ward boys are unavailable, affecting basic patient care.Another senior official said contracts for 63 staff members are pending approval and could take up to 15 days to renew. Subsequently, medical services have been severely hit. Harshita Singh, a patient, said she had been waiting for over three hours for a sonography. “There’s only one doctor inside handling everything,” she said. Other patients echoed her experience, citing two–three hour waiting time.Staff members said the additional workload is being handled by permanent employees. A senior nurse, who has been with the hospital for over a decade, said the current nurse-to-patient ratio is approximately 1:40, compared to the recommended 1:8. Additionally, he informed that of about 150 nurses, 47 are on contract. “The increased workload is unimaginable. Today is my daughter’s birthday. Every year I take leave, but this year it’s simply not possible.”Story continues below this adHe also expressed concerns over the decline in quality of services due to constant rotation and lack of continuity in contracted personnel. “Complaints about workload are common, but we never put them in writing,” he said, “We’re afraid it might backfire on us.”Even long-time staff are alarmed by the current crisis. “I’ve been here for over 15 years, and I’ve never seen the dialysis unit shut down other than during Covid-19,” said another senior doctor. “Every year, the contracts get renewed on time. This year is different. I’ve never seen the hospital scramble for resources like this.”The hospital administration assured the problem will be dealt with within a week.Kartika Jamdar is an intern with the Indian Express.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:medical careMumbai hospital