Why in the News?

• Maharashtra Chief Minister directed officials to design a comprehensive project to strengthen healthcare institutions across the state with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Key Points:

Review Meeting on Healthcare Projects:

⇒ The Maharashtra CM chaired a review meeting to discuss healthcare projects under the Medical Education and Public Health departments.

⇒ He emphasized aligning the state’s cancer care initiatives with the Centre’s National Cancer Care Strategy.

⇒ He called for a time-bound, structured plan for providing chemotherapy and radiation therapy through an efficient referral framework.

⇒ He also directed officials to submit a detailed project report to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment infrastructure.

Upgrading Medical Colleges and Public Hospitals:

⇒ New government medical colleges are being set up across various districts in Maharashtra.

⇒ A specific recommendation was made to establish a teaching hospital in Dharashiv.

Ongoing Health Projects:

⇒ The construction of government hospitals is in progress in Alibag and Sindhudurg.

⇒ Centres of Excellence are being developed to enhance quality care across the state.

⇒ An integrated Health Management Information System (HMIS) is currently under development.

Asian Development Bank:

About:

• Established in 1966, ADB is a regional development bank that envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.
• ADB supports its members and partners through the provision of loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments aimed at advancing social and economic development.

Headquarters:

• Manila, Philippines

Members:

• It currently has 68 members of which 49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.

ADB and India:

• India is a founding member of ADB and the bank’s fourth-largest shareholder.
• ADB supports India's priorities for robust, climate resilient, and inclusive growth, aligned with ADB's Strategy 2030 and the country partnership strategy, 2023–2027.