Pune: Minister of statefor public health Meghna Bordikar on Friday said that govt is preparing a 10-year roadmap to strengthenhealthcare facilities in every district to reduce the burden on Mumbai and Pune.The issue came up for discussion in the assemblyon Friday after BJP MLA from Pune Cantonment constituency Sunil Kamble spoke about a shortage of ICU beds in Sassoon General Hospital.“Pune’s population is increasing rapidly, which is adding to the burden on healthcare facilities. Patients and their relatives are struggling to find beds in the ICU section of Sassoon General Hospital. Govt should take steps to increase the number of beds,” Kamble added.Responding to him, Bordikar said that as per the Indian public health standards there are adequate beds in Pune considering the city’s population. However, patients from other districts go to Mumbai and Pune for better facilities which adds to the burden on their healthcare system, she added.The minister said, “A 700-bed new hospital in Pimpri Chinchwad will come up to reduce the burden on Sassoon hospital. The state is also preparing a roadmap for the next 10 years to improve the healthcare system in every district so that patients will not have to go to bigger cities.” BJP MLA from Pune’sShivajinagar constituency Siddharth Shirole spoke about the poor condition of ICUs in Sassoon hospital. “The facility’s NICU has advanced equipment and a minimum rate of infection. However, the medical ICU, trauma ICU and surgical ICU are not up to the mark. Govt should look into improving the condition of these ICUs,” Shirole added.Bordikar said regular inspections of these ICUs will be undertaken and steps to improve their functioning will be rolled out.
