Pune: In a major push to upgrade public healthcare, the civic administration has announced a sweeping transformation of nine civic hospitals and maternity homes across the city.The ambitious plan, initiated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health department, aims to equip these facilities with modular operation theatres (OTs), modern intensive care units (ICUs), upgraded labour rooms and advanced ward management systems to improve the quality of care in govt hospitals.According to a note shared by the health department, the institutions identified for the upgrade are Late Sanjay Gandhi Hospital (Bopodi), Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Hospital (Yerawada), Late Shriramrao Yadav Hospital (Aundh), Dr Kashinath Anaji Dhanawade Maternity Home (Balajinagar), Kamla Nehru Hospital (Mangalwar Peth), Rajmata Jijau Maternity Home (Bibwewadi), Jayabai Nanasaheb Sutar Maternity Home (Kothrud), Savitribai Phule Maternity Home (Mundhwa) and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Maternity Home (Bopodi).“Under the project, each hospital will receive high-tech modular OTs designed to maintain sterile environments through specialised panels, ceiling and flooring systems and advanced ventilation. A modern HVAC system and central medical gas pipeline will further ensure infection control and electrical safety. Labour rooms will be upgraded with smart displays, air-shower facilities and biomedical waste management systems, while women’s wards will have modular partitions and antimicrobial painting,” said Dr Nina Borade, chief health officer of PMC.A key feature of the initiative is the dedicated neonatal intensive care unit proposed at Late Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Bopodi. The new NICU will feature 10 motorised five-function beds, patient monitoring systems, ventilators and CPAP support to treat premature and critically ill newborns locally, reducing the need for emergency transfers to tertiary care centres.“PMC also plans to onboard contractual experts in gynaecology, paediatrics, neonatology, internal medicine and critical care to bolster specialist care. An Advanced Integrated Ward Management System will also be introduced to streamline workflows and improve transparency in hospital operations,” Borade added.The move comes as civic hospitals face rising patient loads amid seasonal spikes in dengue, chikungunya and waterborne infections, with ICUs in the city reporting full capacity.“For some of the upgradation works, tenders have already been floated, while the tendering process for the remaining projects will begin soon,” Borade said.
