Maharashtra’s new healthcare initiative: Free pathological labs across the state

So far, the testing facilities have been partly set up in 16 districts including Pune, Thane, Nandurbar, Jalana, Beed, Raigad, and Aurangabad.  In the coming days the canvas of this health scheme will be widened throughout the state

Soon patients visiting government hospitals in Maharashtra will get easy access to blood and urine check-up and other medical facilities. To put an end to patient’s sufferings, Maharashtra government has proposed to set up a pathological laboratory in different government hospitals.

For this, the Maharashtra government has signed a contract with HLL Lifecare limited. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had taken a keen interest and initiative for this and the contract has been signed after his guidance.

As per the guidelines laid down by the central government, Maharashtra state health organisation had taken several efforts in the past. Currently, for the next five years a contract has been signed with HLL Lifecare limited.

The contracts states that HLL Lifecare limited will set-up pathological laboratories at different locations. The cost of the investigations will be borne by the state government and the services will be given to the patients for free of cost.

So far, the testing facilities have been partly set up in 16 districts including Pune, Thane, Nandurbar, Jalana, Beed, Raigad, and Aurangabad.  In the coming days the canvas of this health scheme will be widened throughout the state.

The service will be provided in primary healthcare centres (PHC”s) from 8 am to 12 pm, and in rural hospital with a bed capacity of 50, testing will be done from 8 am to 1 pm. Similar the facility to be provided in women hospitals and general hospitals as well.

Important Highlights

25 different tests in Primary health centres

50 bed government hospital – 32 tests

52 tests in hospital with a capacity of more than 100 beds

“This policy will prove to be beneficial for poor and needy patients especially in rural areas. Rural patients have to travel to towns and cities to get blood and urine tests done, many a times crucial time of the treatment is lost,” said Maharashtra’s Health Minister Dr Deepak Sawant.