Mumbai’s KEM Hospital Boosts Capacity to Meet Rising Demand

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run KEM Hospital in Mumbai is set to significantly expand its bed capacity by the end of September, a move aimed at addressing the rising demand for healthcare services in the city. The hospital, which currently boasts 2,250 beds, is planning to add an additional 300 beds, bringing its total capacity to nearly 2,500 beds.

The expansion comes in response to the increasing number of patients seeking treatment at KEM Hospital. In 2023 alone, the hospital admitted a staggering 64,520 patients, averaging 177 patients per day. The outpatient department also saw a significant influx of patients, with a total of 17,92,183 visits from both new and returning patients. However, the hospital faced challenges last year due to severe structural damage in four medical wards and two general surgery wards. As a result, these wards had to be temporarily closed, forcing patients to be treated in temporary wards at the Sewri TB Hospital.

This disruption raised concerns about the hospital’s resources and staff capacity to handle the increased patient load. After a lengthy restoration process spanning over 14 months, wards 4, 7, and 11 have now reopened, allowing normal operations to resume in these areas. Renovation work on wards 4A, 8, and 12 is also nearing completion. The historic architecture of the hospital presented unique challenges during the restoration process, but significant progress has been made. The addition of 300 beds will significantly enhance KEM Hospital’s ability to care for its large patient base.

The capacity of the newly renovated wards has been increased from handling 60-75 patients to accommodating 90-100 patients, further improving the hospital’s efficiency.The expansion of KEM Hospital is a positive development for Mumbai’s healthcare system. By increasing its bed capacity and improving its infrastructure, the hospital is better positioned to meet the growing needs of the city’s population and provide quality healthcare services to patients.