Navi Mumbai: In a significant move to strengthen healthcare services in rural Raigad, the District Public Health Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swades Foundation. The agreement, signed on July 7 at the District Collector's office, aims to enhance the availability and quality of public health services across seven talukas.
The MoU was formalized in the presence of Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale and Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Neha Bhosale. Also attending were Sub-Divisional Officer (General Administration) Ravindra Shelke, Deputy CEO Rajendra Bhalerao, District Rural Mission Project Director Priyadarshani More, and senior representatives from the Swades Foundation.
Dr. Nitin Bawdekar signed the agreement on behalf of the District Civil Surgeon and Health Officer, while Swades Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Mangesh Vange and Deputy Health Director Dr. Surendra Yadav signed on behalf of the foundation. The initiative was undertaken under the guidance of Dr. Nipun Vinayak, Secretary of the Maharashtra State Public Health Department.
"The partnership’s primary goal is to support government efforts in delivering quality healthcare to underserved rural communities. It will focus on strengthening public health infrastructure, raising awareness about government health schemes, and ensuring that essential medical services reach the last mile," a statement released by District Collector, said.
This initiative is expected to directly benefit the seven talukas of Mahad, Poladpur, Mangaon, Tala, Shrivardhan, Mhasla, and Sudhagad, where the Swades Foundation is already working through its 360-degree rural development model. Founded by Ronnie and Zarina Screwvala, the foundation has been active in community development, and the new collaboration is set to further empower local healthcare systems and improve health outcomes, the statement further said.
