State expanding scope of key health schemes, says health minister Abitkar

Pune: State health minister Prakash Abitkar on Sunday said the state is expanding the scope of key health schemes and improving treatment packages to ensure quality care without additional financial burden.Abitkar, while speaking at the 31st Foundation Day of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), also stressed the need to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for ordinary citizens.The minister said coverage under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat has been significantly widened, with the number of covered treatments increasing from around 1,300 to nearly 2,400."The govt has revised package rates and is working to address implementation gaps so that hospitals do not charge patients beyond approved limits," he said.The Foundation Day ceremony also marked the inauguration of major healthcare facilities at Bharati Hospital and Research Centre, including a new IVF centre, a dedicated department of ophthalmology and an eye bank. The renovated integrated office of the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana at Bharati Hospital was also inaugurated. The university's annual report was released during the ceremony."Our consistent effort is to ensure that even the poorest citizen receives dignified, cashless and quality treatment without being forced to pay extra," Abitkar said.The minister also pointed to ongoing reforms in specialised treatment areas, such as orthopaedics, neurology and cancer care, where updated packages and expert consultations are being introduced to improve outcomes. He emphasised that access to advanced treatment should not remain limited to a few but must reach the wider population through these schemes.Abitkar said the new additions will serve not only Pune but also patients from rural and underserved regions, aligning with the broader objective of expanding access to affordable and specialised healthcare.Minister for renewable energy and dairy development Atul Save highlighted the role of institutions in strengthening public health delivery. "Quality healthcare must reach the last person. Institutions like Bharati Vidyapeeth are playing an important role in supporting that ecosystem," he said.The event also included the felicitation of outstanding institutions, researchers and distinguished alumni for excellence in academics and research.Among those present were chancellor Dr Shivajirao Kadam, pro-vice-chancellor Dr Vishwajit Kadam and vice-chancellor Dr Vivek Saoji."The institution continues to integrate education with healthcare outreach, focusing on inclusive access and quality service delivery. The newly inaugurated facilities, combined with strengthened govt schemes, are expected to improve the availability of advanced and affordable treatment for a larger section of society," Kadam said.Saoji said the university has received research funding of over Rs 28 crore this year from reputed organisations for significant research projects.For excellence in research, the university's IRSHA research institute was honoured, along with distinguished faculty members Varsha Pokharkar, Sachin Chavan, Rama Bhadekar and Sarah Mariam, who received the Excellence in Research award. Distinguished alumni Sanjay Gandhi and Gunjan Saini were also felicitated.
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