Pvt players to be roped in for cardiac centres in at least 10 districts

In a move that is sure to bring cheer to heart patients, the State government has decided to develop cardiac treatment facilities in rural parts of Maharashtra with the help of private players using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in district hospitals. To facilitate this, the government has formed a committee of 11 members under the chairmanship of the principal secretary (Finance).

The State government issued an order to this effect on November 12, 2013. At present, such facilities are available with district hospitals in Kolhapur, Nashik, Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur. Patients with heart ailments who do not live in these cities have no option but to seek treatment in private hospitals in their respective districts, or travel to the city nearest to them.

Besides this, the government is running Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana, under which patients get treatment at private hospitals and the government pays a certain percentage of the charges. However, this scheme is limited only to eight districts.

Now, under the PPP model, the government will provide 10,000 sq ft of space and ink a deed for 10 years with the private partner. As mentioned in the GR, the committee will decide the terms and conditions for allowing private cardiologists to develop such centres in district hospitals, and also work out the shares of the state and private hospital or players.

State health director Dr Satish Pawar, who is a committee member, said, "The government has decided to form PPP for developing cardiac centers in certain district hospitals. We want such centres to be set up in at least 10 districts where there are no medical colleges or hospitals. It will help to bolster the health infrastructure in rural areas."