The Public Health Department of Maharashtra Government has given a major relief to the poor and needy as it has decided to bring the major healthcare procedures costing upto Rs 22 lakh in the ambit of Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya Yojna. A happy Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar told ‘The Hitavada’, “We have increased the coverage of the healthcare procedures of MPJAY from 1,256 to 2,399 to benefit the poor and needy. I am happy about it as a large section of the society, which was deprived of costly treatments, can avail benefit.” The department has increased the amount of the treatment to Rs 5 lakh. “We found that there are some part of the treatment needed for cancer goes beyond Rs 5 lakh. The procedures like various organ transplants including lung, liver, heart cost upto Rs 20 lakh or more than it. Considering this aspect, we have decided to provide such costly treatment for free to the patients. We will cover the costly treatment needed to be provided to the cancer patients.”

 

 

Existing ambulances, popularly known by 108, are not in a proper condition. There are over 500 such ambulances in Maharashtra; majority of which are not running. Revealing the plan, Abitkar said, “We have planned to buy about 1,700 well-equipped ambulances. At present, we will include 200 ambulances in our healthcare machinery. Whenever any patient is carried by it, the advanced equipment in it will simultaneously start treatment. It will have advanced diagnostic tools and will be able to send the reports to the doctor concerned. The team inside ambulance will get instructions on the basis of the diagnosis made by the doctor in hospital. This will enhance the healthcare treatment. Since the patient will start receiving treatment in the ambulance itself, chances of recovery will be more.” 

 

 

On several occasions, low quality drugs are procured by the department for the reasons best known to them. It is very difficult to identify them. Abitkar has decided to introduce the drug detection system by which the medicines will be checked. These machines can help the medical officer to discard the medicine if the machine detects any problem in it. 

 

Long ago, the department used to honour doctors in State by conferring Dr Anandibai Joshi award at district level, division level and state level. Hospitals too used to get the awards. It used to boost the morale of the people in the medical fraternity. For no reason, Government stopped the scheme. Abitkar-led ministry is starting it again. From next year, it is likely to begin in new form.