Mumbai: Ravindra Waikar, Member of Parliament from Mumbai North West, raised an important issue in the Lok Sabha today regarding the growing strain on hospitals and the increasing number of cancer patients in the city. He demanded the establishment of an AIIMS-like hospital and a dedicated cancer research center in the Mumbai suburbs to address the urgent healthcare needs of the population.
Mumbai, known as the economic capital of Maharashtra, attracts people from across the country seeking treatment for various ailments. However, with the city’s rapidly increasing population, the pressure on healthcare facilities is mounting. Despite the presence of prestigious hospitals like K.E.M. and Tata, these institutions are struggling to meet the demand for healthcare services, and modern medical equipment is still lacking in many cases.
The growing number of cancer patients is particularly alarming, as the country faces a rising cancer burden, and specialized hospitals to treat these patients remain scarce. Furthermore, the high cost of treatment in private hospitals is becoming prohibitive for many families.
Point Made By MP Ravindra Waikar
Waikar pointed out that Bihar has two AIIMS hospitals, and Nagpur is the only city in Maharashtra with an AIIMS facility. The absence of an AIIMS-like hospital in Mumbai is a major concern, especially when a significant section of the population struggles to access affordable healthcare. He emphasized that setting up an AIIMS facility in Mumbai would provide middle-class and low-income patients with affordable treatment options.
Waikar urged the central government to take immediate action in establishing such facilities to provide much-needed relief to ordinary citizens. His proposal also includes the establishment of a cancer research center in Mumbai to ensure timely treatment for cancer patients and contribute to advancing cancer research in the region.
