23 August,2026 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to charitable organisations and institutions to participate in the initiative. FILE PIC
Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis has directed that memorandums of understanding (MoUs) be signed between charitable organisations assisting patients' families and the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell to ensure better facilities and services for patients and their relatives visiting major hospitals across Maharashtra.
Families of patients often face difficulties at hospitals due to the high cost of treatment, lack of accommodation and food facilities, and inadequate guidance. Taking these concerns into consideration, the state government has decided to bring all stakeholders together and establish a streamlined and transparent support mechanism.
Through these agreements, assistance provided by charitable hospitals and voluntary organisations can be delivered directly and promptly to patients' relatives. Hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Charity Commissioner provide free and concessional treatment to poor and needy patients.
The Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell will be integrated into this system to bring greater coordination and transparency to the process. The existing framework of the cell also supports access to eligible treatment assistance and charitable hospital facilities.
The initiative will also focus on strengthening arrangements for accommodation, low-cost or free meals and medical guidance for relatives in and around hospital premises.
The primary objective is to reduce the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens while accessing healthcare services and simplify administrative procedures. The initiative is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of poor and needy patients and their families across the state.
The collaboration will bring together the contribution of charitable organisations and government systems to create a healthcare support model in Maharashtra. Various tripartite Memorandums of Understanding will be entered into with the cooperation of charitable trusts to ensure that the benefits reach patients directly.
Chief Minister Fadnavis has appealed to charitable organisations and institutions to participate in the initiative.
Details regarding the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell and related services are available on the official website of the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell, Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged students to stay away from drugs and focus on education, sports, skill development and nation-building.
Fadnavis was speaking at the launch of the Campus Connect campaign in Navi Mumbai on Saturday. The initiative has been started by the Navi Mumbai Police under their Nasha-Mukt Navi Mumbai campaign to raise awareness among college students about the dangers of drug use.
The launch event was held at the D Y Patil University Centre of Excellence in Nerul.
Fadnavis said the growing attraction towards drugs among young people and the serious social, physical and mental consequences of substance abuse made awareness programmes particularly important.
He said college life is an important stage in the personal and professional development of young people. The Campus Connect initiative aims to reach students directly on campuses and provide them with the right information about the risks associated with drugs.
