Gandhinagar: Gujarat govt has approved setting up four brownfield medical colleges by upgrading existing govt hospitals in Kheda, Mahisagar, Botad and Gir Somnath districts under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.The health and family welfare department approved the proposals on Thursday. The project will involve private institutions developing modern medical colleges and hospitals linked to the existing govt healthcare infrastructure.In Kheda district, Shri Gayaprasad Jain Charitable Trust will develop the medical college and hospital. Shri Swaminarayan Vishwamangal Gurukul, Kalol, under Swaminarayan University, has been selected for Mahisagar, while Shri Chanakya Education and Charitable Trust, Veraval, will undertake the project in Gir Somnath. Delta Millennium Medicare Pvt Ltd, Bhadiyad, Morbi, will develop the facility in Botad district.Govt has stipulated that the selected institutions must continue all existing free services. They must also provide free treatment to pregnant women and to children aged 20 days to one year. The institutions will be required to operate dialysis units with at least 10 beds and ensure immediate free treatment for trauma and accident patients.Health minister Praful Pansheriya said the initiative was aimed at improving the availability of specialist doctors at govt hospitals and ensuring that residents could access modern medical treatment in their own districts. A new patient welfare committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the respective district collector to oversee patient-oriented services in the hospitals, the statement added.
