Maharashtra Unveils 10-Year Healthcare Strategy to Alleviate Pressure on Major Cities
In a significant move to address healthcare challenges, Maharashtra's Minister of State for Public Health, Meghna Bordikar, declared on Friday that the government is formulating a comprehensive 10-year roadmap. This initiative aims to bolster medical facilities across every district, thereby reducing the overwhelming burden on Mumbai and Pune's healthcare systems.
Assembly Debate Highlights Critical Shortages in Pune
The issue gained prominence during a legislative assembly session after BJP MLA Sunil Kamble, representing the Pune Cantonment constituency, raised concerns about a severe shortage of ICU beds at Sassoon General Hospital. Kamble emphasized that Pune's rapidly expanding population is exacerbating the strain on healthcare infrastructure, leaving patients and their families in dire straits while searching for ICU accommodations.
"The escalating population in Pune is intensifying the load on our healthcare services. Families are facing immense difficulties securing ICU beds at Sassoon Hospital. Immediate governmental action is imperative to augment bed capacity," Kamble asserted during the discussion.
Minister's Response and Strategic Vision
In her reply, Minister Bordikar acknowledged that, according to Indian public health standards, Pune currently has an adequate number of beds relative to its population. However, she pointed out a critical issue: patients from neighboring districts frequently travel to Mumbai and Pune in pursuit of superior medical care, which significantly adds to the congestion in these urban centers.
"To mitigate the pressure on Sassoon Hospital, a new 700-bed facility is slated for development in Pimpri Chinchwad. Concurrently, the state is crafting a detailed 10-year blueprint to upgrade healthcare systems in all districts, ensuring patients no longer need to journey to larger cities for treatment," Bordikar explained.
Additional Concerns Raised by Legislators
Further highlighting the urgency, BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole, from Pune's Shivajinagar constituency, brought attention to the subpar conditions of certain ICUs within Sassoon Hospital. While noting that the Neonatal ICU (NICU) is well-equipped with advanced technology and maintains a low infection rate, Shirole criticized the Medical ICU, Trauma ICU, and Surgical ICU for falling below acceptable standards.
"The NICU boasts state-of-the-art equipment and minimal infection risks, yet the other ICU units require substantial improvements. The government must prioritize enhancing these critical care sections," Shirole urged.
Commitment to Regular Inspections and Enhancements
In response to these concerns, Minister Bordikar assured the assembly that regular inspections of the ICUs will be conducted promptly. She pledged to implement necessary measures to improve their operational efficiency and overall functionality, underscoring the government's dedication to addressing healthcare deficiencies.
This proactive approach signifies a pivotal step towards decentralizing healthcare services in Maharashtra, aiming to provide equitable access to quality medical facilities across the state and alleviate the disproportionate strain on metropolitan hubs like Mumbai and Pune.
