Bridging the Health Gap in Remote Regions a Priority, Says Dr Ravindra Kolhe

Pune, 27th October 2025: “Ensuring advanced healthcare reaches India’s most remote regions must be a collective mission for both government and society,” said Padma Shri awardee Dr Ravindra Kolhe, speaking at the inaugural Health Literature Conference in Pune on Sunday. Dr Kolhe, who, along with his wife Dr Smita Kolhe, has dedicated over four decades to healthcare work in Melghat’s tribal belt, was honored with the first-ever Maharashtra Arogya Bhushan Award 2025.

The conference, organized jointly by the Rugna Hakka Parishad, Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and Charitable Hospital Aid Cell (Mumbai), Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, Marathi Natya Parishad, Balgandharva Family Trust, Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune Municipal Corporation, and Grand Prithvi Medical Foundation, was inaugurated at Balgandharva Rangmandir. senior journalist Santosh Andhale, IMA Maharashtra’s former president Dr Avinash Bhondwe, former police officer Chandrashekhar Daithankar, DIG Pravin Patil, Umesh Chavan (founder of Rugna Hakka Parishad), Sunitaraje Pawar, Meghraj Rajebhosale, and several other dignitaries were present.

Addressing the gathering after receiving the award, Dr Kolhe said, “Working in Melghat’s adverse conditions, we faced countless challenges but succeeded in reducing child and maternal mortality. The fight against malnutrition led to a High Court directive compelling the state to take corrective measures. Today, the decline in malnutrition levels shows that sustained grassroots healthcare efforts can bring transformation.”

The award consisted of a citation, a shawl, a memento, and ₹1 lakh in cash. The organizers also presented a cheque of ₹1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for flood relief.

Delivering the presidential address, Dr Sanjay Oak, Vice Chancellor of HSNC University, said, “Every creative doctor conceals a writer within. A vibrant body of medical literature exists in Marathi, but it needs visibility. While our healthcare system has evolved, its benefits have not yet fully reached the poorest populations. Bridging the communication gap between doctors and patients is essential — and literary platforms can help humanize medicine.”

Rameshwar Naik, head of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund Cell, said the government remains committed to ensuring equitable healthcare access. “A health information war room will soon be launched to provide citizens with details of hospitals, government schemes, and available treatments from a single point,” he said.

Conference convener Umesh Chavan noted that health-related literature rarely finds space in school curricula. “This platform brings together those writing meaningfully about healthcare, aiming to make knowledge accessible to patients and their families,” he said.

Former IMA state president Dr Avinash Bhondwe called for rebuilding the trust between doctors and patients, remarking that such dialogues help strengthen understanding and public faith in the system.

As part of the event, a Mega Health Check-up Camp under the Pune Arogya Mahotsav screened thousands of citizens, artists, writers, and journalists. The camp included diagnostic services, mobile medical units, and free distribution of medicines in collaboration with leading hospitals.

Amol Devlekar compered the program, while Milind Gaikwad delivered the vote of thanks.