Pune: AAP Slams PMC, Claims Civic Health Services Now ‘On Ventilator’
Pune: AAP Slams PMC, Claims Civic Health Services Now ‘On Ventilator’
Pune, December 2, 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held an intense protest on Friday, alleging the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) health system has collapsed, leaving ordinary citizens without essential medical facilities. The agitation took place after several complaints surfaced about PMC-run hospitals asking patients to purchase medicines from outside and failing to provide basic healthcare services.
AAP members gheraoed PMC’s Medical Officer, Dr. Nina Borade, demanding answers over the deteriorating conditions in civic hospitals.
According to AAP leaders, problems have escalated across nearly all PMC hospitals, severely affecting common citizens. They alleged that while former corporators and influential individuals receive prompt medical attention, ordinary patients face delays, lack of medicines and poor treatment—indicating a stark divide in service delivery.
AAP also pointed out that villages merged into PMC in 2012 still lack adequate healthcare infrastructure even after 12+ years. They highlighted that many maternity homes conduct only pre-scheduled C-sections, while emergency cases are repeatedly shifted from local maternity homes to Kamla Nehru Hospital—and from there to Sassoon Hospital—creating unnecessary medical risks for pregnant women.
The party demanded immediate corrective action, warning PMC of larger protests if issues remain unresolved.
AAP city president Sudarshan Jagadale said:
“PMC hospitals have no doctors, no proper supply of medicines, poor sanitation, rude staff and zero accountability. VIPs get five-star care while citizens face harassment. This is unacceptable.”
AAP state secretary Dr. Abhijit More added:
“PMC’s health system has completely collapsed. When questioned on pending issues, the health chief merely responded like a ‘postman’ saying letters have been forwarded. The department should be renamed ‘Postal Department’. The helpless health chief must resign and the commissioner must intervene.”
Key Demands Raised by AAP
- Immediate appointment of anesthetists and pediatricians at 20 PMC maternity homes to reduce excessive pressure on Kamla Nehru Hospital.
- Stop the practice of sending emergency pregnancy cases from Kamla Nehru Hospital to Sassoon; ensure emergency delivery facilities at civic maternity homes.
- Repair the non-functional lift at Kamla Nehru Hospital without delay.
- Hire additional female security personnel at Kamla Nehru Hospital due to high patient footfall.
- Start the Sanjay Gandhi Maternity Home in Bopodi, which remains non-operational three years after completion.
- Develop full-fledged health facilities in villages merged into PMC in 2012, where services remain inadequate.
- Action against PPP-model hospitals failing to meet contractual service standards.
- Transfer medical staff posted at the same hospital for over three years.
- Provide patients with their case papers to allow continuity of care in private hospitals if needed.
- Stop handing out creams/ointments wrapped in paper; medicines must be dispensed in sealed, labelled containers with expiry dates.
- Strict action against medical staff who fail to report on time.
- Act against illegal parking and alcohol consumption near Sonawane Maternity Home.
- Investigate the increased dialysis rate from ₹1,350 to ₹1,900 in PMC hospitals.
- Disciplinary action against staff misbehaving with patients.
AAP members including Kumar Ghongde, Aniket Shinde, Pradeep Udagade, Shekhar Dhage, Manoj Shetty, Ibrahim Sayed and several others were present to submit the memorandum to PMC’s Medical Officer.
