Click to play videoMumbai: They are overworked and underpaid - police officers live life on the edge with dangerous consequences on their health.
Constable Ravi Sawant, recently admitted to hospital for depression, shoots himself with his rifle in Vile Parle. Inspector Raju Pillai of Andheri police station suffers a heart attack. He dies a few hours later. Head constable Vilas Gaikwad is found dead of natural causes in his home in Naigaon. Sub-inspector Rajesh Salvi from Khar Police station dies due to stones in the pancreas.
Four deaths in four days – that is an alarming statistic, one that has shaken Mumbai's police force spurring them into taking some drastic action.
And now, the almost 40,000-strong police force is being sent to doctors for full medical check-ups.
Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order Arup Patnaik said, “It's a question of survival. Now, if we detect any serious cases, we will rush them to hospital and give them care.”
Good news for Prakash Desai - look closely, and you will see needles all over this traffic policeman.
He's hoping acupuncture will cure the pain in his legs. That only gets worse as he is on his feet all day at this Nagpada traffic junction.
Doctors treating police say long hours, high stress and bad eating habits are making them particularly prone to illness especially heart disease.
Police Hospital Consulting Cardiologist Dr Anil Kumar says, “Policemen have an increase in coronary heart disease, smoking and putting on weight their bosses should keep this in mind.”
Police stations across the city have been instructed to tie up with local organisations and start the medical checkups. And till its his turn, Desai will rely on his needles.
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