Editor’s Capsules

Healthcare Shortages Deepen Across Maharashtra as Ground Reality Lags Behind Policy Promises Vacant posts, unsafe hostels, and delayed hospitals continue to cripple public healthcare despite new colleges and parliamentary assurances Public healthcare in Maharashtra is under increasing strain, as chronic staff shortages, unsafe working conditions, and delayed infrastructure projects continue to affect patient care across urban and rural districts. This is happening even as new medical colleges, nursing upgrades, and National Health Mission (NHM) initiatives are announced in Parliament of India. Doctors and medical students say that while policy announcements focus on expansion, the healthcare system is struggling with unresolved basics — including vacant posts, inadequate hostels, and hospitals that remain incomplete or under-equipped. Protests Highlight Growing Discontent On February 16, students and resident doctors at Grant Medical College and JJ Hospital in Mumbai began an indefinite hunger strike, demanding safer hostels, timely payment of stipends, improved infrastructure, and autonomy for the institution’s historic Gymkhana. Although the Dean of JJ Hospital agreed to address the demands by evening, the students’ association has warned that the protest will resume in a stronger form if assurances are not implemented by February 28. The agitation mirrors wider dissatisfaction captured in the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) 2025 survey, conducted across 18 government medical colleges and involving 5,800 healthcare professionals. The survey found that 33 per cent of colleges fail to pay stipends on time, 11 per cent of resident doctors feel unsafe at work, and many hospitals suffer from overcrowded wards, poor sanitation, and lack of grievance redressal mechanisms. “We don’t need more colleges right now. We need safe hostels and functional hospitals,” said a resident doctor from Nashik. “We work 24-hour shifts and often don’t even get a place to rest or change.” Tribal Districts Face Severe Impact In tribal Palghar district, official data shows the crisis is more acute. As many as 811 sanctioned healthcare posts remain vacant, while major hospital projects face long delays. Maternal mortality continues to remain high due to poor emergency preparedness and delayed referrals. A study presented at the Maharashtra Mahila Aarogya Hakk Parishad in 2025 revealed that 10 out of 12 maternal deaths occurred because local hospitals lacked capacity, forcing patients to be shifted to distant facilities in Silvassa or Valsad. Most of the women were between 20 and 24 years old, with anemia and early pregnancies adding to the risk. Between 2011 and 2023, Palghar recorded 462 maternal deaths across government and private facilities. Although India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has declined nationally, tribal blocks in Palghar continue to record figures well above the national average. A district official acknowledged the delays, citing funding constraints. While the district hospital project is 75 per cent complete, the trauma centre — sanctioned in 2019 — remains non-operational. Shortages of doctors, gynecologists, and essential medicines persist. Parliamentary Replies Acknowledge Gaps In responses to questions raised by Maharashtra MPs, the Union Health Ministry has acknowledged staffing gaps. In a Lok Sabha reply on February 13, 2026, the ministry stated that Maharashtra has 2.63 lakh registered nursing personnel, but their distribution is heavily skewed towards urban centres. Further, on February 10, 2026, the ministry told the Rajya Sabha that vacancies among doctors and specialists continue despite recruitment drives and incentives. Nationally, the doctor-to-population ratio stands at 1:811. District-level data shows that posts for gynecologists and anesthetists in Palghar and Gadchiroli remain largely unfilled. Though hardship allowances have been introduced to attract specialists to rural areas, retention remains a major challenge. Infrastructure and Safety Concerns Persist Medical students and resident doctors say problems extend beyond staffing. Hostels in Mumbai and Nagpur are described as overcrowded, unhygienic, and unsafe. Rooms meant for two often house five residents, sanitation is poor, potable water is scarce, and security is inadequate. Women students have raised serious safety concerns, including incidents of intruders entering nursing hostels at night. Despite repeated complaints, students allege that corrective action has been slow or absent. Expansion Without Execution To address disparities, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved six new nursing colleges in February 2024, and central funds were allocated to upgrade nursing schools into full-fledged colleges. However, several projects remain incomplete or non-operational, limiting their immediate impact. Healthcare professionals warn that without urgent attention to staffing, safety, infrastructure, and accountability, public healthcare in Maharashtra will remain overstretched. The warning from the ground is clear: expansion alone will not fix the system unless existing hospitals, hostels, and healthcare workers are adequately supported.

Rs 7 Lakh Gold Theft on Mumbai–Pune Expressway Halt: CCTV Exposes Shocking Inside Job Pune | Undercover Editor News Channel, February 17, 2026 A routine food break on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway turned into a nightmare for a Thane-based couple after gold jewellery worth nearly ₹7 lakh was stolen from their cab during a halt at a popular highway food stop. What later emerged from CCTV footage has raised serious concerns about traveller safety, cab accountability, and policing on India’s busiest expressway. The Incident On February 7, Poonam Ahuja (37) and her husband Mandeep Singh Khurana (37) were returning to Mumbai after attending a wedding in Pune. Around 4:15 pm, they stopped at Grand Ocean Cube, a well-known pit stop for travellers. Believing their belongings were safe inside the locked vehicle, the couple stepped out for refreshments for about an hour. It was only after reaching home that Poonam realised her gold bangle and ring were missing from her bag. CCTV Reveals the Truth Suspecting foul play, the couple contacted the cab driver, who denied any involvement. With no immediate FIR registered, they returned to the food mall and sought help from the administration. CCTV footage reviewed by the mall authorities showed a disturbing sequence: the cab driver was seen entering the rear seat of the parked vehicle—where the couple’s bags were kept—and spending several minutes inside while the passengers were away. The complaint was subsequently recorded at Khopoli Police Station, though no FIR was registered at that stage. Unexpected Recovery Frustrated by the slow police response, the couple approached local leaders of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Thane. After reviewing the CCTV footage, swift action followed. By the same evening, the cab driver was summoned, and the stolen gold bangle was recovered. The following day, the gold ring—already sold to a jeweller in Pune—was traced and retrieved, though it had been crudely cut to facilitate resale. “What was meant to be a short hunger break became a harsh lesson. The theft happened in minutes, but the impact stayed with us,” Poonam said. Food Mall Responds The management of Grand Ocean Cube stated that the premises are fully covered by CCTV cameras and that footage was promptly shared once the incident was reported. The mall also operates a lost-and-found cell, as incidents of misplaced valuables are common due to heavy footfall. However, the owner later confirmed that this was the second theft reported at the location in the last three months, raising questions about traveller vigilance and enforcement mechanisms. Police Advisory for Travellers Police officials have issued a fresh advisory urging commuters to exercise caution: Inspector Sachin Hire of Khopoli police warned that thefts are rising not just in buses, but increasingly in private cabs on the expressway. Bigger Questions Remain While the recovery brought relief, the incident highlights gaps in immediate FIR registration, surveillance accountability, and passenger safety enforcement on highways used by thousands daily. As expressway travel grows, so does the need for greater awareness, stricter monitoring, and faster police action—because sometimes, even a brief stop can come at a heavy cost.