Pune Municipal Corporation to Assume Direct Management of ICU Beds at Kamala Nehru Hospital
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private firm currently managing the 17 ICU beds at the civic-run Kamala Nehru Hospital. This strategic move will bring seven of these critical care beds under the direct administrative control of the municipal corporation.
Enhanced Healthcare Access Under Government Scheme
Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, deputy health officer at PMC's health department, emphasized the significant benefits for patients. "Our hospital is already empanelled under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana (MJPJAY). With PMC taking over seven beds, patients will now be able to access free ICU services, including consumables and comprehensive treatment," she stated. This transition marks a crucial step in expanding affordable critical care infrastructure in Pune.
Reducing Patient Referrals and Expanding Surgical Capabilities
The increased availability of directly managed ICU beds will enable Kamala Nehru Hospital to handle more complicated medical cases internally. Previously, such cases were routinely referred to Sassoon General Hospital, creating logistical challenges for patients and their families. Dr. Baliwant further revealed that a modular operation theatre is currently under construction at the hospital and is scheduled for completion by the end of February. Once operational, this facility will provide additional surgical services to the community.
Financial Restructuring and Medical Staff Augmentation
Currently, the third-party provider charges patients according to Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates for ICU ward usage. Under the new agreement, PMC will directly reimburse the private firm for all patient charges incurred in this ward. Dr. Baliwant also highlighted an important development in medical education: "By the end of this year, the first batch of MBBS students from our medical college will be available to the hospital as interns," she announced, signaling a boost in clinical staffing.
Comprehensive Hospital Upgrades Underway
Dr. Nina Borade, chief health officer of PMC, outlined broader improvements at the facility. "We recently recruited 17 specialist doctors at the hospital. Now, with ICU beds directly under PMC's control, we will be able to provide significantly better services to patients," she explained. The corporation is undertaking a comprehensive upgrade of the entire hospital, which is expected to substantially enhance both capacity and medical capabilities. This initiative represents a multi-faceted approach to strengthening Pune's public healthcare infrastructure through direct management, financial restructuring, and physical upgrades.
