Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated a dedicated medical helpdesk and online system under the state’s Charity Hospital Scheme. The initiative aims to provide real-time information about available beds in charity hospitals and ensure timely medical assistance for the most-vulnerable.
The inauguration took place at Sasmita Building in Worli, Mumbai, where Fadnavis emphasised the importance of people-centric governance. “The efficiency of a department is not measured by the amount of work it does but by how many lives it touches,” he said, urging all departments to align their efforts towards public welfare.
One of the key features of the new system is that patients can now access real-time information regarding vacant beds in hospitals under the Charity Hospital Scheme. The digitisation of paperwork within the Charity Commissioner’s Office is another milestone, which will reduce administrative delays and enhance transparency.
“By digitising records and implementing this online system, the allocation of beds to needy patients will be more streamlined and efficient,” Fadnavis said. The initiative also includes scanning and digitising key documents within the Charity Commissioner’s Office, which will make legal procedures and hearings more accessible and smoother.
Through this programme, poor and economically weaker patients can access high-quality medical services for free or at subsidised rates. Hospitals like Kokilaben, Lilavati, and KEM, among others, are part of this initiative, with nearly 12,000 beds across the state reserved for the underprivileged. These services are particularly important for patients requiring costly treatments such as organ transplants and cancer surgeries.
During the inauguration, it was revealed that the helpdesk had already started operating before the official launch, and in the past 10 months, 323 patients received financial aid worth Rs 12.73 crore for critical illnesses. Fadnavis also mentioned that the collaboration between charity hospitals and government schemes like the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, PM CARES, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has been crucial in providing these services.
The newly launched helpline — 1800 123 2211 — will be operational 24/7, ensuring that citizens can access information and submit applications for medical assistance at any time. The helpline will guide patients about the eligibility criteria and application processes for various healthcare schemes.
This move reflects the state government’s commitment to providing healthcare access to all sections of society, ensuring that no one is deprived of necessary medical services due to financial constraints. As Fadnavis highlighted, “This system will not only bring transparency but will also ensure that the most deserving patients benefit from the scheme.”
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