Pune civic body offers help to private practitioners to restart clinics for easing patient burden on hospitals

“The closure of the private clinics has caused inconvenience to non-COVID patients. It is necessary for private practitioners to join the PMC during this medical emergency that has taken the shape of a disaster,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Rubal Agarwal.

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The PMC called a meeting of private medical practitioners with clinics in containment zones on Monday. (Representational)

The Pune Municipal Corporation has now decided to provide assistance to private practitioners, who earlier refused to work in areas worst-affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The civic body had warned of action against them but will now help them resume operations so that they can ease the patient burden on civic-run facilities.

The PMC called a meeting of private medical practitioners with clinics in containment zones on Monday. “The closure of the private clinics has caused inconvenience to non-COVID patients. It is necessary for private practitioners to join the PMC during this medical emergency that has taken the shape of a disaster,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Rubal Agarwal.

She told the medical practitioners that they will get all possible help for them to restart their clinics and smooth operations thereafter. “Comorbid is my concern. They are facing problems as you as family doctors have closed operations. Regular patients are suffering,” Agarwal said.

Once private clinics begin operations, the additional municipal commissioner said they can also refer suspected coronavirus cases to PMC hospitals for testing and treatment.

“You are the backbone of the medical service. You can give medicine to patients as per their need and refer suspected cases to us,” she said.

Private practitioners, on the other hand, have demanded safety equipment and medicines for patients to open their clinics. The PMC has assured universal safety equipment to them, medicines for symptomatic treatment of flu, regular disinfection of the clinic and some financial support if they run the out-patient department for free.

“If private practitioners join the PMC as volunteers at various quarantine and swab collection centres, then the civic body will also think of providing them with remuneration,” Agarwal said.

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State Cooperative Commissioner Anil Kawade, one of the IAS officers pressed into checking the pandemic in the city, said private practitioners running their clinics at Dharavi in Mumbai has led to effective results.

“We need to implement the best practices of other cities to contain the disease in our area,” he said.

On the issue of social distancing not being possible at small clinics, Agarwal said the PMC can provide mobile clinics for some hours, which could be used for screening and treatment.

“The existing mobile clinics have been able to detect 170 COVID-19 cases, meaning that they have done good work,” she said, adding that private practitioners can declare their timings, which the PMC can publish on its website. Last but not least, she added that police and ward officers will help clinics run without any hassle.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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