The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the ₹4,250 crore PRAGATI Health Project to modernise the state’s public healthcare system from 2026 to 2031. Supported by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, the five-year initiative will strengthen hospitals, expand digital healthcare, improve disease screening and upgrade health infrastructure.
Key Highlights
- Maharashtra Cabinet approved the ₹4,250 crore PRAGATI Health Project.
- The project will run for five years from 2026 to 2031.
- ADB will provide ₹2,975 crore, covering 70% of the project cost.
- Around 1,600 hospital beds will be added across five districts.
PRAGATI Health Project to Modernise Maharashtra Healthcare
The PRAGATI Health Project, or Primary Healthcare Reimagined with Advanced Governance and Accessible Technology Integration, aims to strengthen Maharashtra’s public healthcare system through better governance, advanced technology and improved access to medical services.
Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said the Asian Development Bank will finance 70% of the project through a ₹2,975 crore loan. The Maharashtra government will contribute the remaining ₹1,275 crore.
The programme is designed to make healthcare delivery more accessible, technology-driven and efficient across different levels of care.
Focus on Disease Prevention and Early Screening
A major component of the PRAGATI Health Project will be the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The initiative will focus on conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, COPD, stroke and mental health conditions.
It will also support screening and treatment for diabetic retinopathy and fatty liver disease, along with palliative and hospice care. Early detection systems for breast, cervical and oral cancers will also be strengthened.
Digital Health Infrastructure to Get Major Push
The project will support Maharashtra’s digital healthcare transformation through the Maharashtra Health Technology Mission.
Planned measures include wider use of electronic health records, integrated health information systems, telemedicine and other digital health applications.
The objective is to bring healthcare services closer to citizens while improving coordination between primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
₹1,500 Crore Allocated for Hospital Infrastructure
The Maharashtra government has allocated around ₹1,500 crore in capital expenditure to strengthen hospital infrastructure in Kolhapur, Nanded, Pune, Latur and Nagpur.
The investment is expected to add approximately 1,600 hospital beds across the five districts.
The expansion will help provide more advanced diagnostic, treatment and referral services at the district level and reduce pressure on major tertiary referral hospitals.
PRAGATI Project to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce
The PRAGATI Health Project will also focus on healthcare workforce capacity building, community counselling, public awareness campaigns and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC).
By combining stronger clinical infrastructure with digital governance and preventive healthcare, the Maharashtra government aims to improve health outcomes and reduce citizens’ out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The project is also expected to support Maharashtra’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) and Universal Health Coverage by improving access to affordable and preventive healthcare.
₹4,250 Crore PRAGATI Project to Transform Public Healthcare
The ₹4,250 crore PRAGATI Health Project represents a major healthcare modernisation initiative for Maharashtra.
With investments in hospital infrastructure, disease prevention, digital health, workforce development and early diagnosis, the five-year programme aims to create a more integrated and accessible public healthcare system across the state.
Source: Sarkaritel
