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Govt Hospitals Surge: Surgeries Double Amidst Trust Boost
5 Oct
Summary
- Government hospital surgeries doubled from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- Health officials cite increased public trust post-Covid-19.
- Activists highlight persistent staff vacancies and budget concerns.
The number of surgeries performed in government hospitals across Maharashtra has nearly doubled in recent years. Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, surgical procedures increased from 3,45,000 to 6,50,000. This rise spans all public healthcare facilities, including district, rural, and specialized hospitals. Trauma care centers also saw a moderate increase in surgeries.
Health officials credit the surge to heightened public trust in government healthcare following the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with expanded services and improved quality. Efforts have been made to enhance operation theatres and engage specialist doctors on contract to mitigate staff shortages. Despite these claims, health activists express skepticism.
Activists argue that the statistics mask underlying issues. They highlight significant staff vacancies, with 42.7% of medical health service group posts and 9.3% of medical officer posts remaining unfilled as of January 2025. Furthermore, Maharashtra's health expenditure has remained low, constituting only about 4.1% of the state's aggregate expenditure in 2024-25, impacting the delivery of services and leading to patients being prescribed outside medications.
