Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for Healing Hospital in Warje, Pune, emphasized that the proposed 375-bed multispecialty hospital will be established without the Maharashtra State government providing a sovereign guarantee for the project loan. Fadnavis clarified that the project adopts a unique financing model, with multilateral funding from firms in Germany and the Netherlands, showcasing a potential blueprint for similar health facilities across Pune and Maharashtra.
Two years ago, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) opted for a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis for the hospital’s construction, sparking concerns about the PMC’s supposed sovereign guarantee for the contractor’s ₹380 crore loan. Fadnavis, addressing these concerns, highlighted the innovative financing structure in place.
“The financial and political risk for the project will be covered by the Insurance Company from the Netherlands. This first-of-its-kind model involves a low-interest rate of 1.25% for the loan. If successful, it can pave the way for the establishment of similar health facilities,” he explained.
Aiming for world-class standards, the Healing Hospital is set to feature state-of-the-art equipment approved by the Netherlands. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar inaugurated the project, which drew praise from various dignitaries, including Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MP Supriya Sule, and PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar.
Supriya Sule lauded the collaborative efforts of the government and PMC in establishing the hospital but sought clarity on reported sovereign guarantees, emphasizing that it should not impact the citizens’ access to healthcare services.
The hospital, estimated to cost ₹380 crores, will encompass 2.5 acres of land, offering a range of medical services, including a 100-bed ICU facility, 12 operating theaters, mental health departments, yoga, physiotherapy, and a 60,000 sq feet healing garden. The project aligns with the government’s focus on public welfare, reserving ten percent of beds for free treatment and allocating six percent at CGHS rates. Additionally, 16 percent of beds will be earmarked for the treatment of needy patients.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized the significance of healthcare, particularly underscored during the Covid-19 pandemic. The efforts of the government and PMC over the past two years culminated in the unanimous decision to establish this 375-bed multispecialty hospital, prioritizing public welfare.
