Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 31: The Maharashtra government has announced the launch of an ambitious statewide initiative titled “My Village, Healthy Village”, aimed at strengthening rural healthcare and ensuring doorstep medical services across villages in the state.

The campaign will be implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.

The initiative has been undertaken at the behest of Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar and Minister of State Meghna Sakore Bordikar, and will be rolled out across the state from April 1.

Officials said the campaign aims to transform each village into a “healthy village” by focusing on preventive healthcare, improved sanitation, safe drinking water, sewage management, nutrition, and awareness on both communicable and lifestyle-related diseases. Maternal and child health, along with mental health, will also be key focus areas.

The government said the programme is designed to evolve into a people-driven health movement through active public participation, rather than remaining a routine welfare scheme.

To ensure implementation, a three-tier monitoring system has been set up—from the state level to gram panchayats. A state-level committee headed by the Health Minister will oversee the initiative, while execution will be managed by the Principal Secretary of the Health Department.

Under the evaluation framework, villages scoring above 70 per cent will be recognised as “Healthy Villages” and rewarded with certificates, mementoes and cash incentives. The government has also sanctioned ?80.75 crore for the campaign, with additional awards planned for health institutions, sub-health centres and primary health centres based on performance.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at improving grassroots healthcare delivery and building a sustainable model of preventive rural health development across Maharashtra.