Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has long been a symbol of perseverance and innovation, quietly harnessing technology to improve civic life. While its efforts managing infrastructure, education, water supply, and waste may not always be visible or flawless, the BMC’s faith in technology as a catalyst for change is undeniable.
This belief was evident in the city’s ambitious promises to transform Mumbai into a metropolis rivaling Shanghai or Singapore — goals repeatedly echoed by successive chief ministers. One clear example is the BMC’s official website, a model of user-friendly design and efficiency that many government bodies could emulate.
Recently, the BMC announced a major upgrade to its healthcare system: the launch of HMIS-2, the Hospital Management Information System. This initiative aims to modernise public health services, boost efficiency, and speed up delivery. Unlike the tangible additions of more doctors or beds, HMIS-2 focuses on digitising patient care and hospital administration.
Each patient will receive a unique identification number, separate from existing IDs like Aadhar or passports. This will facilitate smooth referrals between dispensaries and hospitals, allow patients to track their treatment via mobile devices, and enable doctors to maintain digital records of consultations and medicine distribution. Crucially, it promises better resource management—for instance, hospitals will be able to quickly report shortages, such as oxygen tanks during emergencies.
Although reports suggest HMIS-2 will support data analysis and policy decisions, the specifics remain vague. The system comes with a hefty price tag of around Rs 350 crore, covering installation, operation, and maintenance.
While this investment shows the BMC’s ongoing commitment to innovation, Mumbaikars wait cautiously for the promised improvements to materialise. After all, technological promises have often preceded delayed results.
Source: Mid-day
