The state government will spend Rs 2,000 crore over the next five years to build health infrastructure across rural Maharashtra.

Sources said the government is scouting for land to set up a 300–bed super specialty hospital in the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai. Currently, there is no such hospital in the suburbs.

Nearly 42 trauma care centres are to be set up along national and state highways

The rural health plan as envisaged by public health minister Suresh Shetty includes providing health centres on the basis of requirement in an area rather than the population density of an area. The health department will first complete the construction of 107 primary health centres that was planned based on the 1991 census.

Health officials said every year the government will spend Rs 400–Rs 500 crore as one–time capital investment to create the health infrastructure.

This will include 47 new 30–bed hospitals in rural areas and 15 hospitals in various districts exclusively for women and newborns. All existing hospitals for women and children will be upgraded from the current 60 beds to 100 beds and 100 beds to 200 beds.

The government will also set up 100–bed hospitals in ten districts where it has granted permissions for medical colleges. This is as per the requirement of the Medical Council of India of three beds for every medical student.

"When the health centres and hospitals are 75% complete the government will sanction various posts. When the health centres and hospitals become operational it is estimated that it will cost the government annually Rs 500 crore for salaries, maintenance and medicines," said officials.