Nagpur, India: Dr Anant Pandhare, originally from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, has taken charge as the President of AIIMS Nagpur’s institutional body. Speaking with media he discussed the changing public perception of government healthcare and his vision for AIIMS Nagpur.

Dr Pandhare pointed out that while healthcare in India has improved, there is still a big difference between urban and rural areas. “Cities have more hospitals, but treatment is often expensive. In villages, healthcare is cheaper but lacks proper facilities and doctors,” he said.

He praised government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Maharashtra’s Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) for making healthcare more accessible. He also highlighted the Central Government’s plan to open 22 AIIMS hospitals across India, saying AIIMS Nagpur is crucial for improving healthcare in Central India.

Dr Pandhare credited AIIMS Nagpur’s rapid development to strong leadership from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “Without their vision and support, AIIMS Nagpur wouldn’t have progressed this fast,” he said.

His top priority is to increase staff and add more hospital beds. “The Central Government is already working on this, and discussions have been ongoing for months,” he said. He also aims to make AIIMS Nagpur as good as AIIMS Delhi in healthcare, research, and education. “AIIMS Nagpur is on the right track, and I want it to be among the best AIIMS hospitals in India,” he added.

Dr Pandhare believes that public trust in government healthcare is improving. “Over the last six years, people have started realizing that the government is serious about healthcare. More doctors are choosing to work in government hospitals, and the public is feeling more hopeful,” he said.

He concluded by saying that with continued government investment and a stronger commitment from healthcare workers, public confidence in government hospitals will keep growing.