Pune: PCMC Enhances Healthcare Accessibility with 79 Arogyavardhini Centers
Pimpri, 5th December 2023: In response to the growing population and the need for accessible healthcare, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to establish 79 Arogyavardhini Centres under eight regional offices. This initiative aims to provide citizens with medical treatment closer to home, reducing the burden on major hospitals and enhancing efficiency in healthcare delivery.
The escalating costs of medical treatment have made healthcare inaccessible for many ordinary patients. Despite this challenge, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has been recognized for the quality of its medical services, attracting patients not only from the district but also from across the state. The PCMC’s Health Department currently manages 8 major hospitals, 27 dispensaries, 20 health centres, eight family planning centres, and 36 vaccination centres spread throughout the city. The PCMC hospitals boast a total of 1,589 beds, including the largest facility, YCM, with a capacity of 750 beds.
To alleviate the pressure on major hospitals, the PCMC has planned to establish ‘Jijau Clinics’ in 25 locations across the city. These clinics, strategically located in areas with populations ranging from 8,000 to 10,000, aim to serve slums, densely populated areas, and locations where municipal hospitals and dispensaries are not readily accessible within a kilometre. The initial phase will witness the completion of clinics in Dapodi, Kalewadi, Ravet, and Dighi, with subsequent integration into Arogyavardhini Centres.
The establishment of Arogyavardhini Centres aligns with the PCMC’s goal to provide primary health care close to residents’ homes. Each regional office is allocated Rs. 3 crores for this purpose, with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 25 lakhs for each health centre. Assistance from the Maharashtra State Government is also anticipated. This approach aims to reduce the strain on major hospitals, ensuring that citizens receive timely and essential healthcare services. Dr Laxman Gophane, Medical Officer, expressed optimism that these centres would contribute to efficient and accessible healthcare delivery.
Vijaykumar Khorate, Additional Commissioner of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipality, emphasized the importance of this initiative in addressing the increasing healthcare needs of the city’s growing population.
