In a significant move to enhance healthcare services in Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has augmented Kamala Nehru Hospital (KNH), its sole general hospital, to accommodate 400 beds. The civic body has added 100 additional beds, expanding the existing capacity from 300 to 400, marking a substantial improvement in healthcare infrastructure.
The PMC’s initiative includes the establishment of three new wards – a male medicine ward, a female medicine ward, and an emergency care ward on the fifth floor of Kamala Nehru Hospital. These wards are set to commence operations on Monday, January 1, providing specialized care to patients. Furthermore, plans are underway to inaugurate a separate operation theatre dedicated to sepsis procedures in the near future.
Dr Bhagwan Pawar, the health officer of PMC, highlighted the significance of the expanded sections, addressing the historical practice of admitting medicine and surgery patients in the same wards. The additional staff, including 15 nurses and eight class four personnel, has been recruited to ensure the efficient functioning of the upgraded facility. Dr Pawar assured that the hospital boasts an ample number of doctors, including those from PMC-run medical college.
Dr Suraj Wani, the medical superintendent of KNH, emphasized the hospital’s unique role as the only public hospital in Pune after Sassoon General Hospital. With the introduction of separate medicine wards and an emergency medical ward, KNH aims to streamline patient care. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art operation theaters and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU), offering free-of-cost treatments and procedures.
In response to the burgeoning population of Pune, the PMC has prioritized strengthening healthcare facilities. The PMC-run medical college has been a valuable asset, providing resident doctors to support Kamala Nehru Hospital. Dr Smita Sangade, deputy medical superintendent of KNH, expressed confidence that the additional 100 beds would not pose challenges in delivering healthcare services to the growing number of patients.
