State to set up Maharashtra Public Health Infrastructure Corporation

The proposed corporation will look after the primary health centres, decide on infrastructure facilities at district hospitals, and structure of OPDs in government hospitals.

MUMBAI: The state government has decided to set up a Public Health Infrastructure Corporation to upgrade the public health infrastructure in Maharashtra.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday held a meeting to review the public health department . (Hindustan Times)

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday held a meeting to review the public health department where public health minister Prakash Abitkar, minister of state for health Meghna Bordikar and chief secretary Sujata Saunik were also present. Officials of public health department made a presentation in the meeting where they shared information about the health care system in Tamil Nadu.

Various measures were discussed as part of a programme to provide quality health facilities within at least 5 km to citizens. Fadnavis gave his nod to set up the corporation and asked officials of health department to submit a formal proposal for the approval.

“The health department should prepare and submit the proposal to set up the Public Health Infrastructure Corporation. It would ensure state-of-the-art infrastructure in the health sector in government hospitals, effective implementation of health care schemes, and provide good facilities at even primary health care centres. The health department should make efforts to ensure maximum treatment in the primary health centres,” said Fadnavis.

He also said that the primary health centres should provide 13 health services like Tamil Nadu does and adequate attention should be paid on increasing the number of specialist doctors, starting new facilities, and modernisation of district and sub-district hospitals.

The 13 services include pregnancy and neonatal care, family planning, childhood and adolescence care, general treatment in OPD, eye and ENT treatment, treatment to senior citizens, treatment of burn and accident, mental health care, etc.

The proposed corporation will look after the primary health centres, decide on infrastructure facilities at district hospitals, and structure of OPDs in government hospitals.

The CM also stressed on improving drug supply and equipment management, increasing use of digital technology, increasing the number of government and private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat, and state government insurance schemes.