The Impressive TimesMumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a crucial review meeting of the Public Health Department at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai yesterday, emphasizing the need to strengthen the state’s healthcare system. The meeting was attended by Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Health Meghna Bordikar, and Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik. During the session, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure quality healthcare services are accessible to every citizen within a 5 km radius.
Fadnavis underscored the importance of digital transformation in healthcare, instructing that maximum health schemes and services should be made available online to improve efficiency and accessibility. To achieve this vision, he proposed the establishment of a Public Health Infrastructure Corporation to oversee the development of modern and digital healthcare infrastructure across Maharashtra. The Chief Minister stressed that outdated procedures should be revised, and that better coordination between the Public Health and Medical Education departments is essential for optimizing healthcare delivery.
A major highlight of the meeting was the focus on expanding primary healthcare services. Fadnavis suggested that Maharashtra should implement 13 essential healthcare services at all primary health centers (PHCs), following the model adopted by Tamil Nadu. These services aim to ensure basic medical facilities are available at the grassroots level, reducing the burden on higher medical institutions. The government also aims to enhance treatment options at PHCs, allowing people to access specialized medical care without having to travel long distances.
To further boost healthcare accessibility, authorities were instructed to conduct a comprehensive study and submit immediate reports for implementation. The state government is also looking to improve public-private partnerships in healthcare, encouraging investments in medical infrastructure and technology. Additionally, Fadnavis highlighted the importance of affordable healthcare, urging officials to explore ways to reduce treatment costs while maintaining quality standards.
The meeting also focused on the role of technology in transforming Maharashtra’s health sector. The Chief Minister stressed the integration of telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and mobile health units to bridge the healthcare gap in rural and remote areas. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring no citizen is deprived of essential medical services due to location or financial constraints.
With these initiatives, the Maharashtra government aims to create a robust and inclusive healthcare system, making quality medical services available to every citizen.
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