PCMC’s opposition leader flags security concerns at YCMH over missing metal detectors, baggage scanning machines

Pune: Leader of opposition in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), NCP's Bhausaheb Bhoir, has written to civic chief Shravan Hardikar demanding enhanced security measures at the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH). Bhoir visited the hospital on Wednesday to review arrangements and claimed that the facility lacked adequate security personnel at its entry gates. He also flagged the absence of safety equipment such as metal detectors and baggage scanning machines to screen visitors.
Terming it a "serious security lapse", Bhoir said the situation could pose risks to patients, their relatives, and doctors. "YCMH is a major hospital where many people visit daily. Basic security infrastructure such as metal detectors is a must, but I found it missing during my visit," Bhoir told TOI. He added that without proper checks, visitors could carry weapons or other harmful objects inside the premises. A senior YCMH official, however, said the hospital earlier had metal detectors and baggage scanning machines, but the equipment developed faults after the Covid-19 pandemic and they were subsequently removed. "We have already written to the PCMC security department seeking repair or replacement of the machines, but there has been no progress so far," the official said. YCMH, located in Pimpri, is the largest civic-run hospital in the city and caters to residents of Pimpri Chinchwad as well as patients from nearby rural areas. The hospital records an average daily footfall of around 5,000 people. PCMC's chief security officer, Uday Jarande, told TOI that both the metal detector and baggage scanner earlier installed at YCMH were beyond repair and a proposal has been sent to procure new machines. "The proposal has been forwarded to the civic stores department and the purchase will be made soon," he said. The hospital has three entry gates for patients and visitors. An official from YCMH said installing baggage scanners at all three gates may not be feasible, but handheld metal detectors could be provided to security staff for screening. "Most hospitals, including Sassoon General Hospital in Pune, which is operated by the state govt, do not have baggage scanning machines," he pointed out. The official added that in emergency cases, especially in the casualty department, staff cannot insist on baggage checks when patients are brought in critical condition because the priority in such cases is to ensure that the patient is treated first and their life is saved. On the availability of manpower, the official said two to three security agencies currently supply personnel to YCMH and the existing strength is adequate to manage the situation.