Pune — In a significant move to address the shortage of specialist doctors in civic hospitals, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched free, specialised medical services at the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Yerawada. The initiative is a collaborative effort between PMC and Dr D Y Patil Medical College and Hospital.
Starting Thursday, patients at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital can avail outpatient services in six specialties: medicine, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, paediatrics, gynaecology, and ENT. The newly inaugurated multispecialty outpatient department (OPD) aims to provide quality care to underprivileged citizens who cannot afford private treatment.
The OPD was inaugurated by PMC health chief Dr Nina Borade, along with senior officials and doctors from both PMC and D Y Patil Hospital, including Dr Hanumant Chavan, Dr Shalini Pawar, and Dr Sujata Mane.
Dr Borade said the initiative follows a successful pilot run at Khedekar Hospital in Bopodi. “We received excellent feedback there, and that inspired us to expand the services to more hospitals,” she said.
Patients needing more advanced care will be referred to D Y Patil Hospital with ambulance services provided by PMC, Dr Borade added.
Currently, PMC has just 74% of the required number of specialist doctors. This partnership is part of PMC’s broader strategy to fill that gap by collaborating with private medical professionals who will offer their services for free.
Yerawada resident Sunita Jadhav welcomed the development, calling it a “big relief” for those who struggle with high private healthcare costs.
PMC plans to replicate this model in other civic hospitals to enhance healthcare accessibility across the city.
