Pune: Sassoon Hospital’s 11-Storey Building Inaugurated, Proposal for Increased Remuneration For Contract Doctors Announced

Mubarak Ansari

Pune, 5th January 2024: Deputy Chief Minister and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has pledged support for an increase in the remuneration of contract doctors, recognizing their crucial role in saving lives through medical treatment. Pawar made this assurance during the inauguration of various development projects at BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital.

The event was attended by prominent figures including Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar, MP Sunil Tatkare, MLA Sunil Kamble, Ravindra Dhangekar, Principal Secretary of Medical Education Department Dinesh Waghmare, District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, Director of Medical Education Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Dean Dr. Vinayak Kale, PWD Chief Engineer Atul Chavan and others were present.

Pawar emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing health facilities for common patients, stating that a proposal to raise doctors’ remuneration would be prepared by the Medical Education Department.

Acknowledging the sacrifices made by medical officers during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pawar highlighted the need to attract and retain skilled doctors for optimal patient care. He expressed the government’s dedication to making substantial provisions for health facilities and increasing the remuneration of doctors accordingly.

During the pandemic, Sassoon Hospital’s under-construction building was repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, limiting the availability of other infrastructure facilities. Pawar announced plans to discuss the expansion of Sassoon Hospital with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to accommodate the increasing needs of the hospital.

To ensure Sassoon Hospital’s continued growth and modernization, Pawar urged authorities to study the best practices of private hospitals and submit a proposal for necessary changes within a month. He emphasized that despite financial constraints, state-of-the-art facilities must be provided at Sassoon Hospital, considering its significance for general patients.

The recently constructed 11-storey building with modern facilities aims to address the growing needs of Sassoon Hospital. The government is committed to providing better health facilities for the common populace, with a focus on modern treatments. Pawar assured that additional facilities for the college’s students’ playground would be funded through the corporate social responsibility fund.

Minister Mushrif highlighted Sassoon Hospital’s commendable patient care during crises like the plague, swine flu, and COVID-19. He disclosed Rs 183 crores have been invested in the new hospital building. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to benefit patients with up-to-date treatment options. Quality amenities are being established with the support of corporate social responsibility funds. Notably, Tata Trust has contributed Rs 2 crores for the Interventional Radiology Department, Fazlani Trust has allocated Rs 2.5 crores for the Independent X-ray Examination Center for Women, and Punjab National Bank along with Pahl Foundation has provided Rs 5 crores 35 lakhs for the Central Clinical Laboratory.

Mushrif expressed optimism about future kidney and liver transplant surgeries at Sassoon Hospital and assured quality education facilities for BJ Medical College students. The hospital’s new building boasts a mortuary center with the capacity to preserve 140 bodies in cold storage and 30 years of records.

State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar lauded the initiative to establish a separate ward for transgenders, emphasizing the importance of respect for these individuals.

Dr. Vinayak Kale, the college dean, provided insights into the various development works at the BJ Medical College and Sassoon Hospital, highlighting the increased bed capacity to 1,900.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar inaugurated Sassoon General Hospital’s new building, a modern mortuary, Petscan for cancer diagnosis, and renovated college ground.

Vidhan Parishad Deputy Speaker Dr. Neelam Gorhe conveyed her wishes for the event, praising Sassoon Hospital’s 167-year tradition of providing unwavering support to patients.

Chandni Gore, the representative of the transgender community, also expressed her thoughts on this occasion.