21 August,2026 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar. File Pic
The Maharashtra government has announced a new training policy for the Public Health Department aimed at strengthening the skills and capabilities of its workforce and improving the quality of public healthcare services.
Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said the policy will bring major changes to the existing training system and ensure that officers and employees at all levels undergo structured training.
Under the new framework, training institutions across Maharashtra will be brought under the technical and administrative control of the Directorate of Public Health Services Training, Nagpur, with the aim of creating a more uniform and effective training system.
The State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (SIHFW), Nagpur, will function as the department's nodal training institution.
Training infrastructure at the divisional, district and taluka levels will also be strengthened, with new centres to be established wherever required.
The policy makes training mandatory for regular and contractual employees across all posts.
New recruits will have to complete their initial training within one year of joining service. Employees will also be required to undergo prescribed training after promotion.
The framework provides for mid-level refresher training after four to six years of service, followed by advanced or senior-level training after 10 years.
Employees who remain absent from training without permission could face administrative action under existing rules.
The department has also proposed a 28-day residential Skill Lab training programme to give healthcare workers hands-on experience instead of relying solely on classroom-based learning.
The programme will include 20 days of practical training in skill laboratories and eight days of hands-on training at district hospitals.
The policy also provides for continued participation by state- and district-level trainers in programmes for ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs).
The department will prepare a five-year training framework and annual training plans based on the requirements of individual posts.
The government also plans to align training programmes more closely with employees' day-to-day responsibilities.
Funding for the programmes will be provided through the Public Health Department's budget, with the training policy to be implemented as a government scheme.
Abitkar said developing the capabilities of healthcare workers would be crucial to improving public healthcare delivery.
"A capable, skilled and trained workforce is essential to provide quality healthcare services. This training policy will be an important step towards improving the efficiency of officers and employees in the Health Department through human resource and capacity development, and towards providing better-quality healthcare services to citizens across the state."
Public Health Department Principal Secretary Dr Nipun Vinayak said Maharashtra has prepared the framework under the National Training Policy to enhance healthcare workers' skills, strengthen the public health system and bring uniformity to training institutions.
"This policy will not only strengthen the quality of public healthcare services but will also make healthcare more people-centric and help increase citizens' trust in the healthcare system."
The government said the new framework is intended to make training a continuous part of professional development rather than treating it as a one-time administrative requirement.
