Deshmukh said the state co-operative department is working on a policy to provide sops and benefits to encourage setting up of such institutions.
To reduce the burden on public-run institutions, the Maharashtra government is working on a policy to promote the setting up of co-operative hospitals.
“We would like to see co-operative hospitals in all districts of Maharashtra. There is tremendous burden on the district civil hospitals, and all the patients may not be able to afford the cost of health care in private institutions.
These co-operative hospitals will help the poor,” Subhash Deshmukh, Minister for Co-operation, told DNA.
Deshmukh said the state co-operative department is working on a policy to provide sops and benefits to encourage setting up of such institutions.
The policy will look at allowing concessions in taxes and duties on equipment, electricity charges, land and property tax, and even government contribution for a part of the equity share capital of these institutions.
“Doctors and other medical professionals can come together (for establishing these hospitals),” he said.
At present, Maharashtra has three co-operative hospitals: Sushrusha Citizens Co-operative Hospital Ltd at Dadar in Mumbai, Ashwini Co-operative Hospital and Research Centre in Solapur, and Dr Hiremath Co-operative Hospital at Barshi in Solapur district.
Dr Nandkishor Laud, Chairman, Sushrusha Citizens Co-operative Hospital Ltd, said the co-operative model would overcome problems of access, affordability, and accountability in healthcare. If the state government grants rebates in taxes and duties to such institutions, Laud said, the benefits could be passed on to the shareholders and people.
He added that local citizen groups in districts like Osmanabad, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, and Nanded were exploring the possibilities to set up such hospitals.
However, Dr Anant Phadke, Co-convener, Jan Arogya Abhiyaan, a network of health and social organisations, said that the policy would help only if it also covered hospitals set up as not-for-profit institutions.
The co-op setup
People contribute equity to become shareholders, and in return, shareholders and their families get concessions on consultation, and procedures
Healthcare is offered to other patients at affordable rates. Doctores and other medical professionals can come together to help establish these hospitals
These institutions can be registered under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, and Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949
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