Pune: The state government on Wednesday appointed Dr Ashish Bharati as the new Health Chief of Pune Municipal Corporation. Dr Bharati will replace Dr Ramchandra Hankare. Dr Hankare was appointed as health chief of PMC two years before. His duration ended on Wednesday and hence he was transferred. Dr Bharati’s announcement came within four hours of Dr Hankare’s transfer.
Dr Ashish Bharati is presently serving as the Assistant Director of State Health Department. He has been appointed as the PMC health chief for the next one year. Dr Bharati is expected to take charge of his new post in two days.
Dr Hankare had taken charge as the health chief of Pune Municipal Corporation on September 25, 2018. He was given the responsibility for two years. However, as his tenure came to an end, the Covid-19 outbreak situation in Pune city became serious. It was said that the state government was thinking of extending Dr Hankare’s tenure. On Wednesday, Dr Hankare was transferred. This decision of the state government has surprised many. Interestingly, Dr Hankare’s replacement was announced within four hours of his transfer order.
Pune Municipal Corporation has two health chiefs. The state government had made a special appointment of Dr Nitin Bilolikar on July 25 as the PMC health chief. This additional posting was done considering the workload during the Coronavirus pandemic.
However, Dr Bilolikar had tested positive for Covid-19 just 15 days after he took charge of his post. Since then he has been on medical leave. Meanwhile, Dr Hankare too went on leave twice in the last six months citing critical health reasons. As a result, despite having two health chiefs, none was performing and heading the department of the PMC. The temporary charge was given to Dr Anjali Sabane. Dr Bilolikar is still on leave while Dr Bharati will have to deal with the Covid-19 situation in the city single handedly.