Speed up work on GMCs in Washim, Bhandara, Ambernath, Palghar: Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis
has directed all departments to coordinate and prioritise making land available for the construction of proposed govt medical colleges (GMCHs) at Washim, Bhandara, Ambernath, and Palghar.
He spoke at a review meeting held at Vidhan Bhavan to assess the progress of land availability and construction for these medical colleges and hospitals on Wednesday.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, medical education minister Hasan Mushrif, food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal, health minister Prakash Abitkar, minister of state Meghana Bordikar, and chief secretary Rajesh Kumar were present.
Fadnavis said that the govt had approved the construction of new medical colleges in Washim, Bhandara, Ambernath, and Palghar.
He instructed local representatives and district administrations to inspect and finalise suitable land for these projects. He emphasised the need for time-bound planning, including the appointment of consultant agencies and the completion of related tasks, to avoid delays. Local administrations were directed to ensure no work is delayed.
Fadnavis further noted that GMCHs with a capacity of 100 students and hospitals with 430 beds are under construction in Sindhudurg, Jalna, Amravati, Washim, Wardha, Buldhana, Gadchiroli, Parbhani, and Hingoli.
Additional funding is required to provide facilities at these colleges. He directed the PWD to prepare a revised comprehensive proposal for all works, in accordance with the National Medical Commission's regulations, and present it to the high-level committee.
In October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated two new GMCs in Bhandara and Washim, Maharashtra, each offering 100 MBBS seats for the 2024–25 academic year.
Affiliated with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), both colleges received National Medical Commission approval. Bhandara's GMC will operate on a 25-acre campus at Paladi village, while Washim will utilise the district hospital.
Each has 448 sanctioned posts, with 197 to be filled this year, supported by Rs34.7 crore in funding. Plans for 400–450-bed hospitals are set for completion within 2–3 years.
BOX
Fadnavis urges online expansion of health services
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed guardian secretaries to devise planned programmes for urban health projects, emphasising the online delivery of public health department services via the Aaple Sarkar portal. Speaking at a Vidhan Bhavan review meeting, Fadnavis stressed strengthening primary health centres, estimating Rs5,983 crore for modernising 398 centres and 2,806 sub-centres.
He called for effective implementation of health schemes, simplified procurement, and AI integration. Fadnavis also urged for updation of the department's website, decentralising services, and drafting a state health policy.
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