PUNE: City-based health activist and member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Dr Abhijit More launched an indefinite fast from Monday.
AAP member Nitin Barve also held a symbolic fast to protest against the non-availability of a Caesarean section facility at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)-run Sutar Hospital in Kothrud.
However, following PMC Health Department’s notice assuring a meeting for the same on September 4, the fast was suspended till September 4.
In an official statement, Dr More underlined that the Sutar Hospital caters to a lot of women patients who have to visit the Kamla Nehru Hospital or Sassoon General Hospital as services in the Kothrud-based hospital are inadequate.
“It was observed that around 50 per cent of pregnant women are referred to another government hospital in case of an emergency. This hospital caters to patients from Kelewadi, Gosavi Vasti, Laxmi Nagar, Karve Nagar and Warje. Patients from Mulshi area also visit the Sutar Hospital for treatment. Hence, it is an important necessity for the hospital to have an emergency C-section facility for pregnant women,” said Dr More.He added that most patients are below the poverty line and hence, cannot afford private hospital treatments.
“Gosavi Vasti-based Bindumadhav Thakre Hospital, which was inaugurated eight years ago, has remained shut since its inauguration. It is a six-storey facility. Only the OPD on the first floor is functional. There has been no in-patient in the hospital,” said Dr More.
He added that the residents of the area, especially women, fully support AAP to start these facilities.
