Mumbai: Dr Pallavi Saple, Dean of the JJ Group of Hospitals, has been selected as the sole representative from Maharashtra in the National Task Force for Hospital Security, established by the Supreme Court on Monday.
Dr Saple, a 51-year-old paediatrician, made history in 2019 when she became the youngest dean of the state-run hospital since Independence. She oversees the JJ campus, which spans 48 acres.
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A distinguished alumna of JJ Hospital's Grant Medical College and the daughter of a dental surgeon, Dr Saple has built an impressive career. Until recently, she also served as the administrator of the Maharashtra Medical Council, the body responsible for upholding medical ethics in the state. Her contributions have been recognized at various levels, including her participation in a state-level committee probing alleged malpractices at Pune's Sassoon General Hospital following the Porsche car crash case involving two doctors, reports the Daily.
In light of ongoing concerns about hospital security, Dr Saple informed the Times of India of the government's plans to enhance safety measures on the JJ Hospital campus, especially amid recent strikes by resident doctors. The hospital, which has not experienced any major violent incidents in recent years, faces security challenges due to its large campus and multiple entry points. Currently, the hospital employs 179 security guards and operates 667 CCTV cameras, with plans to increase these numbers by adding 150 guards and 600 cameras.
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The Supreme Court's task force, to which Dr. Saple has been appointed, is expected to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months. This task force aims to bolster security measures across hospitals nationwide, ensuring the safety of both medical professionals and patients.
Dr Saple also served as the head of the Government Medical College in Miraj for three years. She graduated from Grant Medical College and was attached to JJ Hospital in 1995. She pursued her post-graduation before joining as a faculty in 1999. She was promoted to associate professor before finally becoming the dean of the institute.