Nagpur moving towards becoming medical tourism hub

By Vikas Vaidya

The condition of government hospitals in the city like Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), as well as dispensaries run by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, could not show much improvement even in the face of hard efforts by Dr Prakash Wakode, Dr Abhimanyu Niswade, Dr Rajaram Powar and Dr Vaishali Khedikar. However, there is a glimmer of good things to come also. The good news is All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is coming to Nagpur. The city has already got status of AIIMS for GMCH under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). But this project is moving at snail’s pace. The bhoomipujan was performed in the year 2009 and since then the work is under way at a very slow pace. Work is on since last five years but no consistent progress can be seen. The IGGMCH is one example where the alumni, all private doctors, joined hands to bring the alma mater’s glory back. Dr Rajaram Powar, who did so much for the institution, was transferred. The new Dean Dr Abhimanyu Niswade’s first task was to remove private ambulances from the premises. He also refused to use the official vehicle and driver, saving public money.
During the tenure of Dr Vaishali Khedikar as Superintendent, the Daga Hospital got five Operation Theatres and various other equipment. She tried her best to bring improvement at the hospital.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had a major role to play in bringing AIIMS to Nagpur. He has been taking avid interest in improving health scenario in Nagpur. Mahal Sutikagruh, the prime obstetric centre in Nagpur, was also revamped, courtesy Gadkari. In the same way, he took active interest in AIIMS and got it finalised. The venue for AIIMS was first planned at Central Jail. Then it was decided that some part of existing TB ward and Irrigation Colony could be used to set up AIIMS. But it was envisaged that the hospital should be in one place, so MIHAN was finalised.
Now the question emerges whether AIIMS will change health perspective in Nagpur. The answer is yes. Nagpur at present provides economical healthcare. Every treatment and diagnostic test is available in the city. Apart from AIIMS, another hospital dedicated to cancer treatment is coming up in Nagpur with the blessings of our new Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with assistance of well-known industrialist Ajay Sancheti and under the guidance of noted Oncologist Dr Anand Pathak. With the addition of AIIMS, the healthcare scenario in Nagpur, which already has Orange City Hospital, Wockhardt, Dande Hospital, Getwell hospital, CARE, Meditrina, Rainbow Medinova, will grow. This will help in Nagpur becoming a place for medical tourism. Another issue taken up by Nagpur doctors is cut practice. Dr Madhusudan Sarda, Dr Sudhir Neral, Dr Kishor Taori, Dr Sanjay Deshpande and Dr Manish Baheti have taken lead to curb this practice. This has further lowered cost of healthcare. Nagpur docs are trying that to make the healthcare affordable for the common man.
At individual level, Dr Vedprakash Mishra made a dramatic comeback to the Medical Council of India (MCI). He became Chairman of Academic Council of MCI and also Chancellor of Krishna Institute of Medical Science University. Dr Prashant Nikhade was made Chairman of Social Security Scheme by Maharashtra IMA. Both Dr Nikhade and Dr Sanjay Deshpande got the President’s Appreciation Award. Dr Warsha Dhawle got the Best IMA President award at national level while Dr Vaishali Khandait received Best Secretary Award at State level. Dr Rajesh Swarnakar is another doctor from the city, trying to promote cycling among masses, by involving himself in the sport.
Dr Sanjeev Chaudhari, noted Orthopaedic Surgeon, was the first to experiment with telemedicine in Central India when he contacted an old woman in a small village Chimnajhari from his clinic. Both were able to see each other and communicate. Dr Chaudhari gave information regarding osteoporosis to the woman in a language that she could understand.
Two years ago, Dr Seema Dande had saved the life of a boy child by performing surgery on his dead mother. The boy is now almost three years old. Dr Pinak Dande further extended the support. Through his foundation, he assured every help to the boy’s family who did not have a father and mother.
Dr Samir Jahagirdar and Dr Anup Marar are trying to bring a Skin Bank to Nagpur. JCI Nagpur Medico under the leadership of Dr Viral Shah started rocking after the gap of five years. Their unique event ‘Mr and Mrs Medico’ took place with great enthusiasm.

Nagpur’s Secretary rocking

Medical Education Secretary Manisha Mhaiskar, who is from Nagpur, is doing a wonderful job. She has inspired health staff, twisted the arms of MPSC and now recruitment has taken momentum. She started streamlining things in medical education, especially when the government was absent. Her creativity and action-initiating attitude does help. Doctors are seeing a ray of hope through her.