Mumbai, Aug. 12 -- Residents and activists in Mankhurd and Govandi on Monday staged a rally and a one-day hunger strike opposing the privatisation of civic hospitals and demanding immediate staffing and improved services at the Shatabdi Hospital and the Deonar Maternity Hospital. The 'Aspatal Bachao, Nijikaran Hatao'(Save hospitals, stop privatisation) Kriti Samiti, a coalition of over 25 organisations, led the rally. Over 100 residents of Govandi joined the march, with more than 20 observing a hunger strike till 3pm, and 250 others showing solidarity by joining the gathering. The Samiti opposed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan to partially privatise the 580-bed Shatabdi Hospital and 410-bed Lallubhai Compound Hospital, located in the M-East Ward. Last month the BMC had floated tenders to run these facilities in Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Samiti also demanded that the unopened Maharashtra Nagar Maternity Home, built three years ago with public funds, be made operational immediately. As per data from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), the M-East ward is one of the poorest in the city with the lowest human development index. A member of the Samiti, and Mumbai coordinator of Revolutionary workers party of India, Baban Thoke, said that the ward faced a serious shortage of doctors, nurses, and facilities. "The ICUs, NICUs are non-operational in many hospitals and maternity homes due to non-appointment of experienced staff," he added. While the BMC did not respond to HT's queries, the medical officer of health of the ward has assured the protesters a meeting with senior civic health officials within 10 days....