The Weight of the Pandemic
Mumbai faced the pandemic at an unprecedented scale. As India’s most densely populated metro, the city battled soaring infections, strained hospitals, and urgent capacity gaps—demanding rapid clinical leadership and system-wide mobilisation.
Mumbai at the Epicenter
Mumbai emerged as one of the hardest-hit cities during India’s COVID-19 crisis, grappling with an unprecedented surge of infections in a densely populated urban landscape. Overstretched hospitals, limited ICU capacity, and an acute shortage of medical resources tested the city’s healthcare system to its limits. Daily case counts climbed rapidly as frontline workers fought exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty while continuing to serve millions. Amid lockdowns, migrant distress, and mounting fatalities, Mumbai’s struggle became a defining symbol of the pandemic’s human and systemic challenges—demanding swift action, extraordinary leadership, and collective resilience to avert collapse.
NSCI Dome: A COVID Lifeline
During the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala played a pivotal role in establishing one of Mumbai’s largest and fastest operationalized COVID care facilities at the NSCI Dome in Worli. Working in close coordination with the BMC and a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, administrators, and volunteers, he helped convert the sports arena into a fully functional medical centre equipped for isolation, treatment, and patient monitoring. His leadership was instrumental in mobilising resources, streamlining clinical workflows, and ensuring that the facility could manage large volumes of patients efficiently and safely during a period of overwhelming public-health demand.
From Stadium to Hospital: A Jumbo Fight Against COVID-19
IIT Alumni Council’s MegaTx Initiative at NSCI Dome
Nehru Science Centre Panel Discussion on COVID-19
Awards & recognitions
Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala received the COVID Warrior Award from the Rotary Club of Thane Hills in recognition of his selfless service.
Acknowledged by municipal authorities and public institutions for his role in establishing and managing large-scale COVID care facilities, including the NSCI Dome initiative.
