Privatize Thane civic maternity ward: Minister

THANE: District guardian minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday suggested that the maternity ward at the Thane civil hospital should be privatized to improve medical services and reduce the number of complications.
Public health minister Dr Deepak Sawant, who was in Thane on Tuesday, endorsed Shinde’s proposal.
The suggestion has raised eyebrows. Activists say the minister’s statement amounts to the state abdicating its basic responsibility of citizens’ welfare.
“Instead of improving conditions and facilities at the civil hospital, the ministers want to hand over the set-up to private players. It is like admitting that the government machinery and the medical staff are incompetent,” a concerned citizen said.
The hospital has been in the news for the wrong reasons. Recently, a woman died due to excessive bleeding after delivery as there was a delay in attending to her. In another instance, a woman lost her newborn as she was directed from one hospital to the other by staff at the Thane municipality-run Kopri maternity home.
As per health department data, 68 women died during delivery in the district in 2013; the numbers have been more or less the same in the last few years. The health minister has urged private hospitals to come forward and help improve services at government-run facilities, especially the civil hospital.
“The neonatal ICU at the civil hospital could be adopted by private hospitals. The government will ensure they will clear approvals,” said Dr Sawant.
Guardian minister Shinde remained unavailable for comment, but his party colleague, MP Rajan Vichare said he too endorsed the proposal as it would largely benefit the weaker sections of society.