Pune: After a 14-year wait, an investment of Rs55 crore, and persistent demands from local residents, the 100-bed Lohegaon Sub-district Hospital is set to open its doors on a trial basis for outpatient department (OPD) services starting July 6.A formal inauguration featuring the chief minister, deputy chief ministers, and health minister is expected to take place in the coming weeks, depending on their schedules.According to a statement from the health department, “To ensure healthcare services become available to citizens at the earliest, it has been decided to start trial OPD services from July 6 to July 16, 2026. Following the formal inauguration, the hospital will commence full-scale regular services for the public.”A review meeting to assess the hospital’s readiness was held on Saturday, chaired by MLA Bapu Pathare. Addressing the long delay, Pathare said, “The hospital was originally approved in 2012. After my previous term, the subsequent leadership did not prioritize this project. It is now my firm endeavour to make this facility fully operational as soon as possible. Soon, it will be equipped to handle surgeries, maternity care, and intensive care units, offering state-of-the-art diagnostic testing.”Despite rapid urbanisation in the Lohegaon area, the locality has long lacked a public hospital. Residents were forced to travel long distances to Aundh District Hospital or Sassoon General Hospital for secondary and tertiary care. To support the new facility, the govt has approved 94 staff positions across Class I to IV categories.Dr Nilima Inamdar, the medical superintendent of the hospital, said that while she took charge only a month ago, the facility is ready for its initial phase. “We still have some minor work pending, but we are fully equipped to begin OPD services. The hospital will soon function at its full capacity,” she said.According to the department’s roadmap, services such as blood testing, X-rays, sonography, maternity care, and inpatient department (IPD) facilities will be introduced in phases. Future plans include the commencement of major and minor surgeries, an intensive care unit (ICU), a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and eventually, a post-mortem department.
