Pune, 4th February 2026: Needy patients will soon have access to free intensive care services at Kamla Nehru Hospital, as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) moves to take over seven ICU beds currently operated by a private agency.
At present, the hospital’s 17-bed Intensive Care Unit is run through a private institution. The civic health department is in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding to bring seven of these beds under direct municipal control.
Patients admitted to these beds will receive ICU treatment free of cost. The facility is expected to be available for patients by the end of February.
Kamla Nehru Hospital is already empanelled under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, under which most surgeries and treatments are provided free.
However, ICU care currently requires payment, forcing critically ill patients to be referred to Sassoon Hospital. The hospital presently charges ICU fees as per Central Government Health Scheme rates.
With the civic body taking over seven ICU beds, patients will receive free critical care, essential equipment, and treatment at the hospital itself. “Once the ICU facility is available, complicated surgeries can also be conducted here,” said Deputy Health Officer Dr Kalpana Balwant, adding that work on a modern operation theatre is underway and will be completed by February-end.
She also said the hospital’s capacity will increase significantly later this year when the first batch of MBBS students from PMC’s medical college begins clinical training at the hospital.
Health Department Head Dr Neena Borade said bringing ICU beds under municipal control would improve the quality of services for patients. “Seventeen specialist doctors have been appointed recently, and the hospital’s overall upgradation is in progress. This will strengthen treatment facilities and healthcare delivery,” she said