Maharashtra Govt Unani Medical College: The first government-run Unani medical college in Maharashtra, which is planned to be in Raigad, will be open for enrolment starting in the 2025–2026 academic year. One hundred students will be able to enrol in the Bachelor of Unani Medical Science (BUMS) program.

Currently, Maharashtra boasts seven Unani medical colleges, but there are no government-run institutions among them. Out of these seven colleges, three receive government assistance while four operate as fully private establishments. Given this context, the decision was made to establish a government-run Unani medical college in Raigad.

Although the decision was approved earlier this March, its operational commencement was anticipated to take a few years. However, on Thursday, the state’s medical education department issued a Government Resolution (GR) to expedite the process.

Instead of waiting several years for the new infrastructure to be developed, the state has authorized the college to begin operations from the upcoming academic year by renting existing facilities.

100-bed Unani hospital

Maharashtra’s medical education secretary, Dinesh Waghmare, stated, “The original plan was to establish this new Unani medical college in a facility specifically built for it, along with acquiring the necessary infrastructure to operate a 100-bed Unani hospital. However, these construction projects could take 3-4 years to finalize. Given the demand, it has been decided to commence the government’s Unani medical college in the next academic year by leasing existing buildings.”

This change is anticipated to significantly increase the number of available seats for the Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) in Maharashtra starting next academic year. Currently, there are a total of 420 BUMS seats across all seven Unani medical colleges combined.

government-run Unani medical college budget Rs. 338.35 crore

While the college is set to open in the next academic year in temporarily rented facilities, the construction of new buildings will still proceed as planned. According to a prior government resolution issued in March 2024, a budget of Rs. 338.35 crore has already been allocated for the construction of these new facilities.

Public Sector Undertaking:The Centre aims to establish at least one large hospital in each of the 761 districts, collaborating with Public Sector Undertaking(PSUs) and other government entities to enhance hospital capacity in conjunction with the private sector, making these facilities accessible to the general people.

At present, hospitals operated by PSU are situated within the premises of the organizations, with services primarily available to their employees and immediate family members.

however, there are instances where limited public access is permitted at outpatient counters and pharmacies, especially during emergencies.

Recently, the government approved the port sector entities, including Paradip Port, Chidambaranar Port Trust (previously known as Tuticorin Port), Visakhapatnam Port, and Mumbai Port, to broaden their hospital capacity.

 Paradip Port is set to create a 400-bed super-speciality hospital

Under a public-private partnership (PPP), Paradip Port plans to construct a 400-bed super-specialty hospital in Paradip, which may also include the development of a medical college.

Access to the hospital’s services will be available to not only the port employees and their families but also the general public for a fee.

 Mumbai Port Trust plans to expand its hospital from 241 beds to 600 beds

The Mumbai Port Trust is improving its current 241-bed hospital to a 600-bed facility with a budget of around ₹700 crore through a PPP model to improve services for about 45,000 port workers and their families, as well as the local community.

A senior official noted that in addition to public sector enterprises in the port sector, various other government-owned organizations like the railways are expected to improve their healthcare services by forming public-private partnerships to serve the public.

“The official noted that while some are actively engaged in the bidding process, others have successfully finalized contracts, and a few remain under evaluation.”

India requires an extra 2.4 million hospital beds to achieve the suggested ratio of 3 beds for every 1,000 individuals, which is driving the need for healthcare-related real estate, according to a report by Knight Frank.

Currently, India’s bed-to-population ratio stands at 1.3 per 1,000 individuals, encompassing both private and public hospitals.

The government aims to establish at least one major hospital in each of India’s 761 districts to enhance healthcare access in smaller towns.

 According to a government report from March 2022, nearly 80% of the required surgeons, physicians, gynecologists, and pediatricians were missing at community health centers in rural India.