The state-run JJ Hospital in Byculla is expanding its healthcare services by introducing a dedicated obesity clinic. In addition to its existing outpatient departments for infectious diseases, heart conditions, and orthopaedics, the hospital will now address one of the fastest-growing health concerns—obesity.
Weekly Clinic to Tackle Growing Urban Health Issue
“Given the rise in lifestyle-related health problems, we plan to open an obesity clinic that will operate once a week,” announced Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, dean of JJ Hospital. He noted that nearly 30% of the urban population is overweight or obese. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 24% of Indian women and 23% of men fall into this category. Alarmingly, childhood obesity is also on the rise, with the percentage of overweight children under five increasing from 2.1% in NFHS-4 to 3.4% in NFHS-5.
Obesity No Longer a ‘Rich Man’s Disease’
“Obesity was once seen as a problem of the affluent, but now, due to fast food and sedentary lifestyles, the lower middle class is increasingly affected,” said Dr. Bhandarwar. He explained that JJ Hospital’s OPDs are witnessing a growing number of overweight patients across socio-economic backgrounds.
Clinic to Focus on Prevention, Diagnosis, and Surgery
With obesity linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and osteoarthritis, JJ Hospital aims to offer a comprehensive approach. The new clinic will emphasize prevention and early diagnosis while also exploring surgical options for patients who qualify.
While anti-obesity medications have gained popularity, Dr. Bhandarwar cautioned against relying on them exclusively. “We lack long-term safety data on these pills, and some cases have shown signs of organ damage,” he said.
Reviving Bariatric Surgery with Modern Tools
JJ Hospital had launched a bariatric surgery program in 2012, which was later discontinued. However, advancements in minimally invasive surgery have brought new hope. “We now have a robotic arm that can assist in bariatric procedures,” said Dr. Bhandarwar, who previously led the general surgery department. The hospital is also advocating for the inclusion of robotic surgeries under state-run insurance reimbursements.
Public Hospitals Shift Focus to Lifestyle Diseases
As reported by TOI, traditionally focused on infectious diseases, public hospitals like JJ are now adapting to meet the rising demand for treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The BMC health department has already initiated a door-to-door survey to detect conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. It has also established NCD corners in its hospitals, where citizens can check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Recently, BMC-run KEM Hospital in Parel launched a fatty liver clinic, further highlighting the shift toward tackling lifestyle-related disorders in public healthcare settings.