Kalyan: Despite budgetary provisions by the state government for strengthening public healthcare, residents of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) area are allegedly not receiving adequate and affordable medical facilities, social activist Novel Salve has claimed.

Highlighting concerns over the civic healthcare system, Salve said, “The government and municipal budgets make provisions for healthcare, but proper planning and monitoring are needed to ensure that citizens actually benefit from these facilities.”

He pointed out the deteriorating condition of Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan West and the delay in completing the proposed 100-bed hospital at Gauripada. “Due to the lack of sufficient public healthcare infrastructure, ordinary citizens are being forced to approach private hospitals, increasing their financial burden,” Salve said.

He also stressed the need to improve facilities at the government district hospital in neighbouring Ulhasnagar. “Residents should not have to travel to Mumbai or other cities for basic and specialised treatment when better healthcare facilities can be developed locally,” he added.

Demanding immediate intervention, Salve said, “The state government should take over Rukminibai Hospital and grant it the status of a sub-district central hospital. This will help provide better healthcare services to people in the region.”

He further urged authorities to strengthen civic hospitals and health centres across the KDMC area to ensure accessible and affordable medical care for citizens.