Latest news with #PrakashAbitkar
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Healthcare benefits to every citizen is primary goal: Abitkar
Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar has instructed officials to raise awareness about public healthcare schemes and services. District extension and media officers (DEMO) have been told to strengthen outreach programmes to cover citizens, said officials. The minister chaired a review meeting in Mumbai attended by director of health services, Dr Nitin Ambadekar; director, urban health services, Dr Swapnil Lale; joint director Dr Vijay Baviskar, deputy director Dr Kailas Baviskar, assistant director Dr Sanjay Kumar Jathar, along with DEMOs from across the state. 'Special attention is required for public awareness in rural and remote areas. Training programmes should be conducted to ensure officers and staff perform responsibilities more efficiently,' he said. BJMC is state's first government medical college to host NELS workshop The BJ Government Medical College (BJGMC), Pune has become the first government medical college in Maharashtra to host the National Emergency Life Support (NELS) Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, said officials on Saturday. The April 21-April 25 event was conducted by central NELS team and supported by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Government of Maharashtra. Faculty from government medical colleges in Ambajogai, Satara, Kolhapur, Dhule, Miraj, and Nandurbar participated in the session.
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
India Records 257 Covid Cases Amid Surge, 23 In Capital
New Delhi: India is currently witnessing a modest rise in Covid-19 infections, with the Union Health Ministry reporting 257 active cases so far. Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu account for over 85 per cent of these cases. Delhi has also reported 23 active cases. Kerala tops the list with 273 active cases, followed by Tamil Nadu with over 66 cases and Maharashtra with over 56 infections. The spike in these states comes amid a regional surge in Covid-19 cases across Asia. Health authorities in Kerala confirmed one death as of May 19. Other states and union territories that reported new or existing active cases include: Puducherry - 10 active cases (3 new since May 12) Karnataka - 13 active cases (8 new) Delhi - 5 active cases (3 new) Gujarat - 7 active cases (6 new) Rajasthan - 2 active cases (1 new) Haryana - 1 active case (1 new) Sikkim - 1 active case (1 new) West Bengal - 1 active case No other state has reported any new infections or deaths since May 19. At least 112 patients have recovered or been discharged during the same period. The country's overall recovery stands at more than 4.45 crore, with 5.33 lakh total deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Amid the rise, state governments have urged the public to remain cautious but not alarmed. Kerala Health Minister Veena George noted the uptick in Covid cases in Southeast Asia and warned of a possible increase in the state. "While the severity is not high, self-defence is important," she said, addressing the media. She also advised those with symptoms and vulnerable individuals to wear masks and avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has asked citizens not to panic, saying, "I want to tell you all, not to be scared. Corona is normal now, our immunity has increased, and this situation will persist; no need to panic. The government is alert. If any health-related problem arises, we are prepared." Tamil Nadu's Director of Public Health T S Selvavinayagam also said there was "no need to panic." "As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, our medical infrastructure is prepared to handle any kind of situation. But we are nowhere near any such situations. If there is a need for people to follow some rules, we will notify them. Our surveillance mechanism is very robust and people are advised to stay calm," he said. So far, no new advisories have been issued by the World Health Organization or the Union Health Ministry, though states continue to monitor ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infections) trends.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Mumbai reports 53 active Covid cases, government says situation under control
Out of the 257 active Covid-19 cases in the country, 53 have been reported in Mumbai with no recent deaths related to the infection, according to official hospitals in the city are making arrangements for dedicated treatment facilities for Covid-19 patients, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urging calm, saying it is constantly monitoring the current have also been advised by the civic authorities to immediately seek medical help if they notice any Covid-related Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has also urged common citizens not to panic, saying the situation in India is under control."People are troubled because of this news. I want to tell you all, not to be scared. Corona is normal now, our immunity has increased, and this situation will persist; no need to panic. The government is alert. If any health-related problem arises, we are prepared. You can consult your doctor and take care of your health," Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said while speaking to the apprehensions around the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in some Asian countries, Abitkar said that the infection does not pose any danger as it did five years ago. "Patients will come up, Corona is normal, not like before. Patients stay normally, don't be scared like before, patients don't need to be identified," he Abitkar suggested that patients with comorbidities should take precautions and extra care during these state health minister also ruled out the need for any Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) to be followed with regard to Covid-19, saying that the government will surely follow one if it is issued by the Monday, the director general of health services chaired a review meeting of experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Medical Relief division, Disaster Management Cell, the Indian Council of Medical Research and Central government hospitals have been instructed to monitor influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infection Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health, sources told India cases in Mumbai and other parts of the country have raised concerns among people amid the recent surge in novel coronavirus infections in southeast Asia, with weekly cases in Hong Kong surging over 30 times in 10 weeks. Cases also surged by nearly 30 per cent in a week in Singapore. There are also reports of significant surges in China and Reel IN THIS STORY#Mumbai#Maharashtra
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt issues directives to strengthen healthcare system
Mumbai: Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Monday directed officials to submit a proposal for framing a Health Policy and issued various instructions aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and administration. The minister instructed officials to follow up on the Women and Child Welfare Department's government resolution to include staff from the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana in relevant operations. He emphasised maintaining transparency in the transfer process of medical officers. Administrative transfers of officers who have completed more than eight years in service should be conducted through consultation, followed by voluntary transfers, a health department release stated. Transfers of officers in the S-23 pay scale will be based on performance evaluations. Inter-district transfers of Community Health Officers are to be completed by May 31, prioritising district preference, followed by intra-district placements, the minister stated. Abitkar issued these directions at a meeting chaired by him with senior officials, including Health Secretary Nipun Vinayak. He further directed that the service rules be amended to facilitate the promotion of Nursing Tutors to the post of Nursing Superintendent by including a 150-day training program on the agenda. The minister asked officials to submit a proposal to induct contract employees under the National Health Mission into government service and increase their honorarium. To address the shortage of Class I medical officers, the minister instructed that recruitment through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) be expedited. Legal firms are to be appointed to draft amendments to the Bombay Nursing Home Act and related legislation, with the proposed bill to be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session, the release said. The minister also approved an increase in incentives for Medical Assistance Cell staff and hiked compensation for ASHA workers from Rs 5 to Rs 20 per Ayushman Bharat card issued. Additionally, he called for establishing medical assistance centres in Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Mumbai, and directed the formulation of a 150-day action plan for the Health Department. A rural sanitation and health campaign is also on the cards. In a move to support healthcare workers in underserved regions, the minister directed the provision of special facilities for doctors posted in tribal and remote areas. Proposals for these facilities, along with supplementary budget demands for the fiscal year 2025, are to be submitted promptly. As part of a broader healthcare push, 17 Cancer Day Care Centres , as announced in the Union Budget, will be set up. Campaigns for TB-Free Panchayats and Tobacco-Free Schools are also to be launched. A supplementary demand of Rs 44 crore has been directed for submission to the Finance Department by May 31 to establish a new laboratory modelled on the National Institute of Virology. For the PM MedCity program, the availability of 50 acres of land near airports in Kolhapur or Pune will be explored, the release said. All supplementary demands and approved provisions for the 2025 budget must be compiled and submitted to the Finance Department before the May 31 deadline, the Minister added.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Major Health Boost for Nagpur And Vidarbha: Govt plans facilities, incentives for doctors in remote areas
Nagpur: In a major move aimed at strengthening healthcare services in Nagpur and the wider Vidarbha region, Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar announced a series of targeted decisions that promise to transform public health services in the region. These decisions were taken during a high-level meeting held in Mumbai to accelerate reforms in the state's health sector. One of the most significant directives includes the establishment of a medical equipment and supply cell in Nagpur, along with similar units in Mumbai and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This facility is expected to streamline the distribution and maintenance of essential medical devices, benefiting govt hospitals across Vidarbha. In another key development, the minister called for special incentives for doctors serving in tribal and remote regions, which includes large parts of Vidarbha. The proposed package includes a 25% hike in basic pay, double house rent allowance, and an annual travel concession to their native place. Additionally, doctors who serve in tough terrains for five years will be eligible for transfers to a location of their choice — a move expected to address long-standing staffing issues in rural Vidarbha. The state also plans to include eligible doctors from the region in a special recruitment drive through MPSC, aiming to fill vacant Group A posts in medical services, which will particularly benefit districts with persistent manpower shortages. Furthermore, the state govt is considering setting up cancer day-care centres at 17 locations, with Nagpur expected to be among the key cities selected, in line with the recent Union Budget provisions. These centres will help decentralise cancer treatment and improve access for patients in eastern Maharashtra. The health minister also instructed the department to fast-track proposals related to the rural sanitation and health campaign that could bring significant health awareness and behavioural change to communities across Vidarbha. These focused efforts are being seen as a long-overdue response to the region's demand for equitable healthcare infrastructure and services. Senior officials from the health department, including Dr Nipun Vinayak and Dr Nitin Ambadekar, were present during the meeting.
