It is time to change the perception that government hospitals are dirty and inferior, and to stop treating healthcare as a low-priority sector, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.
Reviewing health sector schemes in his war room in Mumbai, he directed officials to make public healthcare more citizen-friendly by ensuring quality services, cleanliness and better facilities, while fast-tracking Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, critical care blocks, laboratories, and new medical colleges using modern modular technology.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, along with the state Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Rajesh Aggarwal (chief secretary, Maharashtra), and other senior bureaucrats from the Chief Minister’s Office and the health department.
At par with private hospitals
Fadnavis said citizens should have the same confidence in government hospitals as they do in private healthcare facilities. He stressed that public hospitals must offer quality treatment, clean surroundings, and professional branding comparable to the standards and services provided by private hospitals.
Push for urgent reforms
There have been repeated reports of doctor shortages, inadequate facilities and poor cleanliness in government hospitals across Maharashtra. Just last week, a Mahayuti leader inspected a government hospital in north Maharashtra and found services in a severely neglected condition. The leader even directed officials to clean and improve the hospital within eight days, and warned that he would return to review whether his instructions had been implemented and services had improved.
Fast-track health projects
Fadnavis said that Maharashtra is following a healthcare action plan based on successful models such as Tamil Nadu to strengthen health services in urban and rural areas. He directed district collectors to fully utilise central funds on time and to expedite pending projects, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, critical care blocks, integrated public health laboratories, and 13 new government medical colleges, warning officials not to let administrative delays slow progress.
Vaccines against cervical cancer
Maharashtra has been given a target of vaccinating around 10 lakh girls against cervical cancer under the HPV vaccination drive. Reviewing the campaign, Fadnavis directed district administrations to launch awareness programmes, obtain parental consent, and complete the vaccination target within the stipulated timeframe.
Ayushman health centres
More than 1900 urban and rural Ayushman health centres are currently operational across Maharashtra and have served nearly 89 lakh outpatients so far. Under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, 36 critical care blocks and 36 integrated public health laboratories have been approved, with several already completed. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the focus will be on significantly improving healthcare access in both urban and rural areas. Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said primary health centres are being upgraded with modern infrastructure and improved branding to provide better services to citizens.
