Mumbai: Taking a big step towards complete transformation of overall health system in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered to double expenditure on public health, set up specialty hospitals with all facilities in all districts and take steps on war footing to strengthen health system in rural areas.
While asking the committee of secretaries to prepare a plan for setting up district hospitals with all facilities in 34 districts of the state along with new medical colleges in next 15 days, he also directed to appoint a committee of experts to prepare a comprehensive vision of health for the state by considering health and medical education by the year 2035.
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Presiding over a review meeting held on Monday in the secretariat here regarding the public health system in the state, the Chief Minister directed district collectors to purchase medicines and medical equipment in their respective districts from District Planning.
He also said that the purchase of life-saving and essential medicines should be done by asking for a separate price list.
It should be ensured that there is no complaint of non-availability of medicines from hospitals in any districts, he said.
Considering that 13 district hospitals have been closed due to affiliation with medical colleges and 12 district hospitals are to be transferred to the Medical Education Department, the Chief Minister directed to build new up-to-date and all-facility district hospitals in 25 districts and upgrade the district hospitals currently attached to medical colleges.
He has asked the committee of additional chief secretary of Public Health Department, additional chief secretary of Finance Department, Medical Education secretary to prepare this plan in next 15 days.
He also said that the district hospitals in the state should have facilities for major surgeries.
He also directed that women hospitals in 14 districts should be adequately strengthened.
The Chief Minister also directed to immediately appoint a chief executive officer of the Indian Administrative Service and 8 other posts on the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority.
Shinde said that every district collector should immediately take steps to fill compassionate posts for technical posts in the Health Department in his district.
He directed to give immediate proposal for creation of nine more circles, in addition to already eight circles of health department in the state, considering the increasing population and the stress of patients.
The Chief Minister also directed administration to take care of malaria and dengue mosquitoes in the state, conduct blood donation camps, visit blood banks and create public awareness.
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