Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde announces day-care chemotherapy centres in Thane, six other cities

The Maharashtra government will establish daycare chemotherapy centres in seven cities to enhance cancer care Deputy Chief Minister CM Eknath Shinde announced on Sunday according to news agency PTIThese centres will be set up in Thane Solapur Ahilyanagar Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Nanded and Wardha Shinde revealedAs part of the initiative eight cancer mobile vans 102 ambulances seven advanced life support ambulances two CT computed tomography machines and 80 digital handheld Xray machines will be deployed to serve underserved areas he added according to PTIApproximately two crore women across Maharashtra will receive comprehensive health checkups under a new programme that includes tests for blood pressure diabetes haemoglobin and more The mobile health checkup units will ensure that women in even the most remote areas receive proper medical attention Shinde saidSimilar to the Chief Ministers Medical Assistance Cell which has helped 51000 patients by providing Rs 460 crore in financial assistance over the past two years a Deputy Chief Ministers Medical Assistance Cell will also be established In addition seven Advanced Life Support ALS ambulances will be stationed in districts such as Gadchiroli Chandrapur Sindhudurg Pune Ratnagiri and Raigad he informed according to PTIThe 80 portable digital handheld Xray machines will aid in the detection of tuberculosis in rural districts while the new CT scan facilities will be available at hospitals in Vaijapur Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dahanu the Deputy CM saidDuring the event the Mayaka app was launched to promote mental health and wellbeingMeanwhile Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprav Jadhav announced that a naturopathy and wellness centre along with a herbal garden will be established in Dare village Satara districtThe Har Ghar Ayurveda scheme was launched on this occasionEknath Shinde inaugurates renovated AC restroom for MSRTC staff in ThaneFor the revival of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC its employees should consider ldquopassenger service as divine servicerdquo stated Deputy Chief Minister CM Eknath Shinde He made the statement while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly renovated airconditioned driverconductor rest house at Khopat Bus StationThe event was attended by the statersquos Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Health Minister Prakash Abitkar Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jayswal along with Vivek Bhimnarav the incharge ViceChairman and Managing Director of the ST CorporationAddressing the gathering at the eventDeputy CM Eknath Shinde emphasised that one of the governmentrsquos primary goals is to transform ST services into a ldquofivestarrdquo transport system He also highlighted the importance of developing innovative publicprivate partnerships to provide bus ports for passengers similar to airport terminalsThe Deputy CM also mentioned that last year the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation MIDC had undertaken the work of concreting the surroundings of 191 bus stations at a cost of Rs 500 crore with the aim of achieving potholefree bus stationsEknath Shinde also directed that the ST administration to ensure that after fulfilling their duties drivers and conductors should have access to stressfree sleep To achieve this airconditioned clean and wellmaintained rest houses should be built in every depot Expressing satisfaction with the newly renovated rest house at Khopat Bus Station he instructed the officials concerned that the facility be made a role model to be implemented across the stateMeanwhile Sarnaik in his speech stated that to care for the health of ST employees and their families a project will be launched across the state in collaboration with publicprivate partnerships The plan includes establishing cashless 100bed hospitals at depots starting on Sunday on the occasion of Shindes birthday He also mentioned that in the future these hospitals will offer free medical services to ST employees through the statersquos Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana as well as for passengers and the general public in the areaWith PTI inputs