SOLAPUR

Solapur’s healthcare landscape, like many other regions across India, is shaped by a mix of indigenous and Western medical practices. For centuries, communities in the district depended on local healers such as hakims and vaidyas, who treated illnesses using plants, herbs, and other resources found in the surrounding forests and fields. This use of local knowledge and natural remedies formed the base of early healthcare in Solapur before formal hospitals were established. Over time, these practices continued alongside the introduction and expansion of more specialised medical services.

Much like other regions in India, Solapur’s healthcare infrastructure follows a multi-tiered system that involves both public and private sectors. Currently, the public healthcare system is tiered into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Primary care is provided through Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres (PHCs), while secondary care is managed by Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Sub-District hospitals. Tertiary care, the highest level, includes Medical Colleges and District Hospitals. This system has been shaped and refined over time, influenced by national healthcare reforms. 

Solapur’s formal healthcare network, like that of many other regions in India, traces its beginnings to the colonial period. According to the district Gazetteer (1977), by 1882, the district’s medical setup had expanded to include several key facilities to meet the needs of the local population. The Sholapur Civil Hospital, established in 1866, served as a central government medical facility in the region. Alongside it, four dispensaries were established in various towns to broaden access to medical services. Among these, the Pandharpur dispensary, operational since 1863, was the earliest, followed by the Barshi dispensary in 1866 and the Karmala dispensary in 1872.

The Akkalkot dispensary, established in 1870, was notable for being overseen by a local practitioner, described in historical accounts as possibly managed by a “native”, reflecting early involvement of Indians in the district’s formal medical system.

Solapur also became an early centre for traditional medicine. The Ayurveda Hospital in Solapur, founded in 1917 by the Seth Sakharam Nemchand Jain Trust, marked an important step in integrating Ayurveda within the region’s healthcare network. The hospital initially began with an outpatient department (OPD) and a Rasashala (medicine preparation unit). Growing public interest in Ayurveda led the trust to expand its efforts, establishing an Ayurveda College in 1962 to formalise training and practice in this traditional system.

The 20th century saw further diversification in Solapur’s healthcare services. Smt. Kankubai Eye Hospital emerged as a notable superspecialty facility, reflecting the district’s growing capacity for advanced and specialised care. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the district saw an increasing presence of private multispecialty hospitals. Among them, Ashwini Sahakari Rugnalaya and Yashodhara Hospital gained particular prominence for their accessible and broad-ranging services.

Medical education and research are foundational to a district’s healthcare infrastructure. The medical education landscape in Solapur spans multiple healthcare traditions such as allopathy, ayurveda, and homeopathy, a feature that captures India’s pluralistic healthcare traditions. 

One notable institution in the district is the Dr. Vaishampayan Memorial Medical College, which was established in 1963. As one of the first major medical colleges in the region, it played a key role in expanding access to formal medical education at a time when few such facilities existed in surrounding districts. The college continues to contribute significantly to the training of doctors and specialists, supporting both local healthcare needs and the wider region.

The determinants of health and health outcomes, as the World Health Organization (WHO) elaborates, are not solely shaped by more than just medical factors and healthcare services. The organization uses the term “social determinants of health (SDH)” to refer to the “non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.”  These non-medical factors can be sanitation, nutrition, community well-being, or, as the WHO outlines, “income and social protection,” “food security,” access to quality healthcare, and more.

While there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen Solapur district’s healthcare infrastructure, certain areas still face challenges, particularly in addressing these broader health determinants. In response, non-governmental organizations have emerged as vital partners, working alongside public health systems to develop innovative, grassroots-level approaches that bridge these gaps.

Palawi Care Home is a charitable organisation based in Solapur that provides care for orphaned children living with HIV/AIDS. It was established in March 2001 by Mangal Shah, at a time when stigma and misinformation around HIV/AIDS were widespread in the region.

To tackle misconceptions, such as the belief that HIV could spread through casual contact, Mangal Shah and her daughter Dimple carried out local awareness campaigns. These included street plays, community meetings, and outreach programmes in villages to share accurate information about HIV transmission and prevention.

In its early years, Palawi Care Home faced challenges related to funding and social acceptance. Donations were limited due to public fear and stigma, which also made it difficult to secure basic supplies and medicines. Over time, community support increased, with residents contributing food, clothing, and essential items. Today, Palawi continues to rely on external support to meet its day-to-day needs and provide medical care, shelter, and education for the children in its care.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on Solapur district, with communities responding to the crisis in varied and sometimes unexpected ways.

One of the more unusual responses came from members of the Pardhi community, who placed their faith in Corona Devi, a goddess they believed would shield them from infection. Some community members declined to follow standard safety measures, such as wearing masks and practising physical distancing, relying instead on the goddess’s protection.

In Barshi town, reports described how some residents performed animal sacrifices to Corona Devi after claims that the Devi had appeared in a dream. Community members attributed the absence of COVID-19 cases in their locality to the goddess’s blessing, which drew crowds to worship and prompted concern among local officials about the risk of large gatherings. In response, police and health workers attempted to educate the community about preventive measures and, when needed, enforced restrictions to contain the spread of infection.

Local leadership and grassroots efforts played a key role in controlling the spread of the virus. In Ghatane village, Mohol Taluka, the 21-year-old Sarpanch Rituraj Deshmukh launched the campaign “Be Positive, Apna Gaon Corona Negative.” This initiative encouraged villagers to get tested and supported regular health monitoring. ASHA workers helped conduct door-to-door checks and provided oxygen-level tracking, which contributed to timely detection and prevention efforts.

During the severe second wave, when Maharashtra’s hospitals faced critical shortages of beds and oxygen, additional capacity in Solapur became vital. Dr. Syed Amjad Bashir Ahmed, a cardiologist, responded by converting his newly built Noble Heart Care and Research Centre into a dedicated COVID-19 treatment facility.

The 35-bed hospital operated with more than 20 medical staff and paramedics, offering treatment at nominal charges to make care accessible to patients from Solapur and nearby areas. The initiative helped relieve some of the burden on government hospitals and provided crucial support during a time of high demand.