Nagpur: Maharashtra govt on Monday approved the establishment of affordable dharamshalas (rest houses) on the premises of six govt medical colleges and hospitals, including Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur.The proposed facilities are aimed at providing economical accommodation and basic amenities to patients’ relatives, many of whom are forced to spend nights on hospital premises or in expensive private lodges while treatment is underway.The Medical Education and Drugs Department issued a Govt Resolution (GR) approving the project, which will be implemented in partnership with Ahmedabad-based Sevadhan Arogya Foundation. The non-profit organisation operates similar patient accommodation facilities in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.Besides Nagpur, the project will cover Govt Medical College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar; BJ Govt Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune; Shri Vasantrao Naik Govt Medical College and Hospital, Yavatmal; Sir Grant Govt Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai; and Chhatrapati Pramilaraje General Hospital, Kolhapur.The dharamshalas will function on a ‘no-profit, no-loss’ and cost-recovery model to keep charges affordable. Govt will lease land to the foundation for 49 years at a nominal rent of 1 per year, while retaining ownership and control of the land throughout the agreement period.The foundation will bear the entire cost of construction, furnishing, operations, maintenance, staffing and security. The govt’s role will be limited to providing land, facilitating statutory approvals and extending administrative support.The GR stipulates the facilities can be used only as rest houses for patients, their relatives. Commercial use or subleasing has been expressly prohibited. The dharamshalas will be required to provide safe accommodation along with affordable food, drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities.The foundation has been directed to submit a detailed project development plan within 3 months of signing the MoU, while construction must be completed within 2 years of obtaining clearances.
