India, May 24 -- Despite monthly salaries of up to Rs.2 lakh on offer, Mumbai's premier TB facility struggles to staff its critical care unit as doctors shy away from the high-risk environment.

More than a year after it was built, the Intensivist Respiratory Care Unit (IRCU) at Mumbai's Sewri TB Hospital lies largely idle-not for lack of funds or infrastructure, but due to a more insidious obstacle: fear.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has offered salaries ranging from Rs.1.25 lakh to Rs.2 lakh per month-well above average for public-sector intensivists-to staff the IRCU. Yet, despite three rounds of recruitment since 2024, the city's largest TB hospital has failed to fill these critical positions.

"It isn't about the mon...