Pune: Kamala Nehru Hospital recruits 17 specialist doctors, adds 100 beds

Written By : Rumela De Sarkar Published On 2025-12-21T10:00:55+05:30 | Updated On 21 Dec 2025 10:01 AM IST

To Improve Services, KNH Pune Strengthens Staff Ahead of Major Expansion

Pune: To boost its healthcare capacity, Kamala Nehru Hospital (KNH) in Pune has recruited 17 specialist doctors, 50 nurses, and 60 sanitation workers, coinciding with the addition of 100 new beds to the facility.

The expansion is part of efforts to comply with directives from the National Medical Commission (NMC), which mandated an increase in its bed capacity to meet affiliation norms with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College.

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PMC had earlier faced challenges in attracting qualified professionals due to low pay scales. However, a recent increase in remuneration has improved recruitment outcomes. The standing committee not only approved a monthly salary of Rs 2.5 lakh for specialist doctors but also allocated ₹13 crore for facility upgrades at Kamala Nehru Hospital. Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram approved the fund after a recent inspection of the hospital.

Following the advertisement for 25 specialist positions, the hospital received 76 applications. After scrutiny and interviews, 17 doctors have been appointed, including seven gynaecologists, six paediatricians, two anaesthetists, and two physicians. Deputy Health Officer Dr Kalpana Balivant confirmed that the remaining posts will be filled in the next phase.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Kalpana Balivant said, "To ensure better healthcare services, these doctors will work exclusively from the hospital and not be split between the hospital and the affiliated medical college."

A key goal of the expansion is to reduce KNH’s dependence on Sassoon General Hospital for critical cases. Earlier in October, the head of Sassoon’s paediatric department had raised concerns about the high number of referrals from KNH.

Baliwant stated, "We have hired specialist doctors, including paediatricians. Additionally, we are moving ventilators from Rajiv Gandhi Hospital to Kamala Nehru Hospital. This will allow us to equip six paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) beds, significantly reducing our need to refer complicated paediatric cases to Sassoon," reports TOI.

The overhaul comes after repeated criticism from the NMC regarding manpower shortages, lack of a government-run ICU, issues in the paediatric unit, and general hygiene at KNH.

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As per the Bridge Chronicle, with the arrival of these specialists, Kamala Nehru Hospital is expected to provide more comprehensive treatment services, reducing the burden on other government hospitals and improving patient care in the city.

Baliwant added, “The additional staff will ensure that patients receive quality care within the PMC system.”

Kamala Nehru Hospitalpune municipal corporationspecialist doctorsnursing staff

Rumela De Sarkar

With a keen interest in storytelling and a dedication to uncovering facts, Rumela De Sarkar joined Medical Dialogues as a Correspondent in 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of North Bengal. Rumela covers a wide range of healthcare topics, including medical news, policy updates, and developments related to doctors, hospitals, and medical education