Nagpur Medical College : In a groundbreaking move to enhance the healthcare experience for senior citizens, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur inaugurated a dedicated Geriatric Outpatient Department (OPD) on Tuesday. Recognizing the increasing demographic of seniors in Maharashtra, constituting approximately 12% of the state’s 12.5 crore population, this initiative aims to cater specifically to the unique health challenges faced by older adults.

Tailored Care for Aging Individuals 

As individuals age, they often encounter distinctive health issues, making access to quality healthcare paramount. The newly established OPD at GMCH seeks to address these concerns by offering specialized services curated for the needs of the elderly. The department boasts a team of experts across various domains, including surgery, medicine, gynecology, and orthopedics, ensuring comprehensive care for senior patients.

Streamlined Registration Process for Seniors

Understanding the potential challenges in navigating the healthcare system, the geriatric OPD incorporates a separate registration room exclusively for senior citizens. This thoughtful addition aims to simplify the registration process, making it more accessible and less stressful for older individuals seeking medical attention.

Cost-Free Consultations and Treatment

One of the standout features of the geriatric OPD is its commitment to financial accessibility. All consultations and treatments provided within the department are offered free of charge, eliminating a significant financial barrier for many seniors. This not only emphasizes the government’s dedication to healthcare but also ensures that seniors can prioritize their well-being without financial constraints.

Inauguration Ceremony: A Symbol of Commitment

The inauguration ceremony, held on Tuesday, was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Raj Gajbhiye, the dean of GMCH, Nagpur. Deputy deans Dr. Devendra Mahore and Dr. Uday Narlawar, along with medical superintendent Dr. Avinash Gawande, professors, and heads of other clinical departments, also attended the event. This collective presence underscores the significance of the geriatric OPD in the medical community.

A Welcome Development for Nagpur’s Senior Citizens

The establishment of the geriatric OPD marks a positive and progressive step for senior citizens in Nagpur and its surrounding areas. It reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for all, regardless of age. The doctors present at the inauguration ceremony expressed their enthusiasm for this development, highlighting its potential to significantly improve the health and well-being of the elderly population.

A Path Towards Inclusive Healthcare

In conclusion, the introduction of the geriatric OPD at GMCH in Nagpur is a commendable stride towards making healthcare more inclusive for the elderly. By addressing the specific needs of seniors and eliminating financial barriers, this initiative stands as a beacon of commitment to the well-being of our aging population.

FAQs

1. Is there any age restriction for accessing the geriatric OPD services?
   • No, the geriatric OPD is open to all senior citizens, regardless of age.
2. Are the consultations and treatments truly free of charge?
   • Yes, all services provided at the geriatric OPD are offered without any financial burden to the senior citizens.
3. What specialties are covered in the geriatric OPD?
   • The OPD includes specialists in surgery, medicine, gynecology, and orthopedics, ensuring comprehensive care.
4. How can seniors streamline the registration process?
   • The geriatric OPD has a dedicated registration room for seniors, simplifying the process for their convenience.
5. Is the geriatric OPD exclusive to residents of Nagpur?
   • No, the OPD is open to senior citizens from Nagpur and its surrounding areas.

In a pivotal move, the proposal for the construction of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Super Specialty Hospital & Post Graduate Institute for Medical Sciences at Indora has reached a crucial juncture. Placed before a high-powered committee for cost revision, this development has sparked discussions and protests, especially with considerations of shifting the project to Mihan in south-west Nagpur. Let’s delve into the intricacies surrounding this healthcare initiative.

The Cost Conundrum

A Decisive Resolution

The Mahayuti government, responding to concerns and protests, issued a resolution in December of the previous year, significantly downsizing the estimated cost to ₹575 crore. This reduction, exceeding 50% from the original estimate, aims to address the financial aspects and streamline the path for the hospital’s realization.

Initial Estimates vs. Revised Figures

Initially approved by the MVA government on October 6, 2021, the 615-bed hospital project was set at an estimated cost of ₹1,165 crore. However, the subsequent resolution by the Mahayuti government reflects a significant decrease. The detailed project report (DPR) outlines Rs879 crore for civil works and Rs286 crore for salaries and related expenses, with a phased increase in bed strength to 857.

The Political Landscape

Roadblocks and Resolutions

The project faced hurdles over the PPP model during the MVA government regime. Subsequently, under the Mahayuti government, deadlock arose over the relocation of the hospital from Indora to south-west Nagpur in Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis’s constituency. Fadnavis, advocating for government funding to avoid healthcare cost escalation for north Nagpur residents, emphasized the need for public welfare.

A Long-standing Dream

North Nagpur MLA and former district guardian minister Nitin Raut envisioned the hospital in 1997. Despite persistent challenges, Raut passionately pushed for its realization. He now calls for the immediate release of ₹80 crore for the groundbreaking ceremony, underlining the significance of this dream project for the region.

People’s Voice

Protests and Advocacy

Vedprakash Arya, a vocal politician, staged an indefinite strike against any attempts to shift the project. Arguing for the necessity of a government hospital in north Nagpur, especially in an area with 327 slums and a high population of the underprivileged, Arya decried potential conspiracies to divert the project elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why was the estimated cost reduced by over 50%? The Mahayuti government responded to concerns and protests by issuing a resolution to downsize the estimated cost, fostering financial feasibility.
2. What caused the deadlock over project relocation? The Mahayuti government faced challenges in shifting the project from Indora to south-west Nagpur, leading to a prolonged stalemate.
3. Who proposed the hospital project, and when? North Nagpur MLA Nitin Raut initially proposed the hospital in 1997, making it a long-standing dream for the region.
4. What role did Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis play in the project? Fadnavis advocated for government funding, expressing concerns over healthcare costs for north Nagpur residents under a PPP model.
5. Why is Vedprakash Arya protesting the project’s relocation? Arya emphasizes the necessity of a government hospital in north Nagpur, particularly in an area with a significant underprivileged population.
6. How long has the hospital project been in the pipeline? The inception of the hospital project dates back to 1997 when Nitin Raut first proposed the ambitious initiative.

In the intricate web of political decisions and community needs, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Super Specialty Hospital & Post Graduate Institute for Medical Sciences stands at a crucial crossroads. As the high-powered committee reviews the cost revisions, the future of this dream project hangs in the balance. Only time will unfold the destiny of this healthcare beacon in Nagpur’s landscape.

नागपूर: राज्य सरकारच्या स्तन कर्करोग जनजागृती आणि उपचार मोहिमेचा शुभारंभ विदर्भात इंदिरा गांधी शासकीय वैद्यकीय महाविद्यालयाने (मेयो रुग्णालय) आंतरराष्ट्रीय महिला दिनानिमित्त पहिले समर्पित स्तन कर्करोग क्लिनिक उघडले. पहिल्या दिवशी 94 महिलांची तपासणी करण्यात आली, ज्यामध्ये दोन महिलांना स्तनात गाठ असल्याचे आढळून आले आणि त्यांना योग्य तपासणीचा सल्ला देण्यात आला. शस्त्रक्रिया जवळील क्लिनिक ओपीडी क्र. मेयो रुग्णालयातील 40 रुग्णालये दर बुधवारी दुपारी 12 ते 2 या वेळेत सुरू राहतील. या क्लिनिकच्या माध्यमातून येणाऱ्या रुग्णांना सरकार स्तनाच्या कर्करोगावर संपूर्ण उपचार मोफत करेल. “राज्यातील सर्व शासकीय वैद्यकीय महाविद्यालये अशाच प्रकारचे स्तनाच्या कर्करोगाचे दवाखाने स्थापन करतील. अभ्यागतांना येथे मोफत तपासणी, निदान आणि उपचार याबाबत मार्गदर्शन मिळेल. देशात कर्करोगाचे सर्वाधिक प्रमाण स्तनाच्या कर्करोगाचे आहे. ग्रामीण भागात याचे प्रमाण अधिक आहे. देखील महत्त्वपूर्ण आहे,” मेयो हॉस्पिटलच्या शस्त्रक्रिया विभागाच्या एचओडी प्रोफेसर आरती मित्रा यांनी सांगितले.

नागपूर:- इंदिरा गांधी शासकीय वैद्यकीय महाविद्यालय व रुग्णालयात जानेवारी 2019 ते 30 ऑगस्ट 2020 या कालावधीत विविध आजारांनी 3716 रूग्णांचा मृत्यू झाला. तर कोरोनामुळे 453 रुग्णांचा मृत्यू झाला. या रूग्णांच्या उपचारासाठी डीपीडीपी आणि मायनिंग कॉर्पोरेशनकडून 23 कोटींहून अधिक अनुदान प्राप्त झाले.

माहिती अधिकार कार्यकर्ते अभय कोलारकर यांनी माहिती अधिकारांतर्गत मागितलेल्या माहितीत हे उघड झाले. रुग्णालय प्रशासनाने दिलेल्या माहितीनुसार, जानेवारी 2019 ते 30 ऑगस्ट 2020 या कालावधीत 9 लाख 61 हजार 54 रुग्ण ओपीडीत तपासणीसाठी आले होते. त्याचबरोबर 52 हजार 715 रुग्णांना आयपीडीमध्ये दाखल केले गेले.

1 जानेवारी 2019 ते 31 डिसेंबर 2019 पर्यंत 2250 आणि 1 जानेवारी ते 31 ऑगस्ट दरम्यान 1466 अशा एकूण 3716 रूग्णांचा विविध आजारांनी मृत्यू झाला. त्याचवेळी, 22 मार्च ते 30 ऑगस्ट दरम्यान, पाच महिन्यांत 3 453 कोरोना रूग्णांचा मृत्यू झाला. 3714 रुग्ण दाखल होते. यामध्ये 2096 पुरुष आणि 1428 महिला आणि 190 मुलांचा समावेश आहे. या दरम्यान 2455 कोरोनारूग्ण बरे झाले त्यात 1286 पुरुष, 1044 महिला आणि 125 मुले होती.

मेयो रूग्णालयात दाखल कोविड रूग्णांच्या उपचारासाठी विविध निधीतून ₹23.24 कोटी खर्चास मिळाले, त्यापैकी 17.31 कोटी रुपये खर्च झाले. उर्वरित शिल्लक आहे. त्याचप्रमाणे 1 जानेवारी 2019 ते 30 ऑगस्ट 2020 या कालावधीत राजीव गांधी जीवनदायी आरोग्य योजनेसाठी 2 कोटी 82 लाख 89 हजार 351 रुपये शासनाकडून प्राप्त झाले. या योजनेंतर्गत 2406 रूग्णांवर उपचार करण्यात आले. यासाठी 90 लाख 74 हजार 345 रुपये खर्च केले गेले. कोरोना साथीच्या रोगाचा सामना करण्यासाठी 192 वर्ग-4 कर्मचारी आणि 150 स्वच्छता कामगार रुग्णालयात कार्यरत आहेत. वर्ग-4 मधील कर्मचार्‍यांमध्ये फोन ऑपरेटर, एक्स-रे अटेंडंट, शिपाई, वॉर्ड ब्वॉय, सुरक्षा रक्षक, औषध स्टोअर अटेंडंट, जनरल स्टोअर अटेंडंट्स, रूम अटेंडन्स, शिंप्स, न्हावी इ. चा समावेश आहे.