Mumbai, May 6 (IANS) In a major push to strengthen Maharashtra’s healthcare infrastructure, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that the state government is entering into a strategic partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The State Cabinet has approved a financial assistance package worth Rs 3,708 crore from the international agency to modernise and strengthen medical services across the state.

Addressing mediapersons, CM Fadnavis said that after supporting similar healthcare projects in Assam and Tamil Nadu, JICA is now collaborating with Maharashtra’s Medical Education Department to strengthen the state’s medical care system.

The proposed partnership aims to overhaul Maharashtra’s tertiary healthcare framework.

Key focus areas include infrastructure development through the upgradation of existing government medical, paramedical and nursing colleges; strengthening diagnostic systems with advanced medical equipment; establishment of specialised centres for specific diseases; setting up new nursing and paramedical colleges to bridge the shortage of trained healthcare personnel; and improving the overall health management system for better administrative efficiency.

The Chief Minister said that while every district in Maharashtra now has a government medical college, the state government is placing renewed emphasis on nursing education.

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of government B.Sc. Nursing Colleges with an intake capacity of 100 students each in seven districts — Jalgaon, Latur, Baramati, Miraj, Kolhapur, Nandurbar and Gondia.

He said these institutions, along with their affiliated hospitals, will be major beneficiaries under the project titled “Strengthening Tertiary Health Care Delivery, Medical Education System and Nursing System in Maharashtra”.

According to the Chief Minister, the Rs 3,708 crore assistance will be utilised for infrastructure support for newly established colleges in Wardha, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Ahilyanagar.

The funds will also be used for modernisation of facilities at GT Hospital and St George’s Hospital in Mumbai, as well as institutions in Dhule, Solapur, Ambajogai, Akola, IGMC Nagpur, Ratnagiri, Palghar and Dharashiv.

The project also includes construction of nursing colleges in Baramati, Sangli (Miraj) and Kolhapur.

In addition, advanced medical equipment will be provided to medical colleges and hospitals in Ahilyanagar, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Hingoli, Jalna, Mumbai, Nashik, Parbhani, Satara, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Wardha.

Beyond infrastructure development, the project also includes an India-Japan Academic Exchange Programme.

The initiative will focus on capacity-building, human resource development and hospital administration with the aim of introducing global best practices in Maharashtra’s healthcare management system.

“This partnership will make healthcare services in Maharashtra more modern, accessible and efficient,” CM Fadnavis said.

“It marks an important milestone in our efforts to ensure quality healthcare facilities for every citizen,” he added.

–IANS

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