They may have come into limelight only after the state elections, but they have for long been working incessantly for the masses. The four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, who were in the race to become the chief minister, are known in their constituencies for all the right reasons.
CM designate Devendra Fadanvis and aspirants for ministerial berths—Sudhir Mungantiwar, Girish Mahajan and Eknath Khadse—are popular in their constituencies for having helped people get good medical treatment.
All of them have been serving their constituencies for at least four terms. Fadnavis is a four-time legislator from Nagpur south west; Mungantiwar is from Balharshah; Khadse is from Muktai Nager, Jalgon, and Mahajan is from Jamod in Jalgon.
They are known to get patients in their constituencies admitted to hospitals in Mumbai whenever the need arises. These legislators also make sure that relatives accompanying the patients too are taken proper care of. Such people are put up in MLA hostels and their needs including food taken care of. To take care of such people, around 11 people work in Mumbai.
Rameshwar Naik, 28, is one among those who are in charge of this health care service. He makes sure that these patients get doctors' appointments. Naik attends to patients admitted in hospitals including Sir JJ group of hospitals, KEM, Nair and Sion hospitals.
"Today there are more than 270 such patient in different city hospitals. These four MLAs are friendly with the patients and closely monitor their welfare. They communicate directly with them and also uses me to pass on specific information," said Naik.
He added: "If there is some problem, the legislators often interact with the doctor directly; they never hesitate. Due to such dedication, patients as well as doctors are their friends. We normally organise medical camp in their constituencies. In these camps if it's found that some patients need further treatment, they are brought to Mumbai.
Khadse and Mahajan are the legislators who have brought the maximum number of patients to Mumbai hospitals.
"All the three MLAs and CM designate Fadanvis have several times called to inquire about the condition of patients known to them. And they also come to the hospitals to meet the patients," said Dr T P Lahane, dean, Sir JJ group of Hospitals.
Dr Ajay Chourasia, head, cardiology department, Nair Hospital, said: "These MLAs have been sending patients to me for the last 15 years. Several times they have personally talked to me regarding a patient's health. Fadanvis once visited the hospital to see a patient who was know to him for a long time. Girish Mahajan is someone who always talks to me regarding patients. They have also met the medical expenses of a patient sometimes."
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