From Temples to Dispensaries: Pune’s Innovative Healthcare Initiative
In a creative and much-needed healthcare initiative, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is reimagining the use of community temples to bridge the gap in healthcare facilities for its citizens. The move comes as a response to the neglect of maintenance and repair of these temples, which had originally been intended as spaces for community activities and gatherings. PMC’s plan is to establish Arogyavardhini Kendras, or primary health centers, at 42 selected community temple locations across the city.
Community temples, built by the Municipal Corporation, were initially meant to serve as venues for social events, training sessions, and other communal activities. However, limited funding allocated for their upkeep has resulted in many temples deteriorating over time, with neglect from both the building department and regional offices.
The Arogyavardhini Centers, designed to function like dispensaries, will replace these temples. Each center has received an allocation of Rs 20 lakhs for essential renovations, including updates to toilets, flooring, and wall painting. Consequently, 42 community temples are expected to be repurposed to make way for Arogyavardhini Kendras, ensuring that residents in these areas have easy access to free treatment for common ailments such as fever, cold, and cough.
The Aarogyavardhini Yojana, a healthcare initiative launched by the state government in January 2022, has seen limited implementation in Pune due to space constraints. Out of the designated 125 locations, only four have been able to offer these services thus far. The health department has faced challenges in securing space within community temples, as some have been occupied by local leaders and organizations or transformed into religious spaces. As a result, no health centers have been established in these temples.
To enhance healthcare facilities not only in Pune but also in the surrounding villages, the state government is planning to establish a total of 125 Arogyavardhini Kendras. This project will unfold in two phases, with the first phase including 29 centers and the second phase extending to 96 centers. Each health center will be staffed with one doctor, two nurses, one dresser, and one pharmacist.
Vaishali Jadhav, Assistant Head of Health at the Municipal Corporation, commented, “The locations for these centers are being chosen based on the spaces available in community temples. The Social Development Department has identified 42 suitable community temples for this purpose, and work has already begun in some of them. The remaining temples are currently being verified for their suitability.”
This innovative approach not only addresses the maintenance issues of community temples but also significantly expands access to healthcare services for the citizens of Pune and neighboring communities.
