(30th September, 2014; Business Wire India); For the Maharashtra government, addressing health issues ranks high on its list of priorities and the same is reflected through various policy interventions, innovative steps and strategies implemented to provide quality healthcare for all.
Commenting on the various initiatives undertaken by his government, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan said, “Health is one of the key focus areas of my government. My aim is to ensure that basic healthcare is provided to all, irrespective of their economic background.”
Through the Universal Health Care Scheme, the government has made all essential medicines to be provided to patients free of cost. Under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Programme, the State is providing free treatment and free referred transport to pregnant women and sick infants provided they are being medically treated in Government hospitals. A high-tech, GPRS-based ambulance service with 937 vehicles has also been launched.
As a preventive measure against cancer, the Maharashtra government has boldly banned the manufacturing, distribution and sale of gutka and paan masalas, considered to be one of the primary causes of cancer.
Additionally, the government has also notified a Master Plan for the setting up of 1,252 new health institutions. The State has sanctioned new Government Medical Colleges at Alibaug, Nandurbar, Satara and Mumbai. The Government has also given its approval for a 20-storyed super specialty medical facilities at JJ Hospital in Mumbai at an estimated cost of Rs. 4, 79.95 crore.
To provide adequate, safe, quality blood to patients, a unique Blood on Call Scheme (Jeevan Amrut Seva Yojana) was launched by the government.
