Thane: Patients' kin try to sneak gutka, booze into Covid hospital

THANE: Gutka and tobacco hidden inside clothes and a bottle of booze dunked inside gravy in a tiffin box. Faced with a fresh challenge of patients' relatives trying to smuggle contraband inside the premises, authorities at Saket Hospital in Thane, a Covid-19 facility, have tightened security.
The issue came to the fore on Saturday after staff intercepted a person allegedly trying to sneak in a packet of tobacco to his relative admitted in the hospital. A senior official confirmed the incident. The official, who has come across nearly eight such incidents in the past few days, said patients often develop withdrawal symptoms during treatment and try to convince the staff to provide them with stock, but as they don't relent, they start badgering their relatives. "We have had relatives trying to send cigarettes, lighters and gutka hidden within clothes. Once, a liquor bottle was spotted inside a gravy dish in a tiffin box. A demand for medicines to be sent wrapped from home is another ploy to procure cigarette boxes," he said, requesting anonymity.
The issue was exposed after cigarette butts and empty gutka packets were allegedly spotted inside the premises ahead of a visit by guardian minister Eknath Shinde. Even as the administration admitted to the incidents, they clarified all such attempts have been foiled thanks to strict vigilance. "The security has been instructed to frisk staff entering or exiting the facility and also to scan the food, medical kits and laundry bags being sent for the patients. We also have CCTV at vantage points," said Vishwanath Kelkar, deputy municipal commissioner, in-charge of the facility.