JJ Hospital Dean Dr Pallavi Saple joins SC-formed National Task Force for Hospital Security

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.

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. 

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.