After Maharashtra's urban areas of, barring one-off cash-rich municipal bodies like Mumbai, proved to be deficient in providing healthcare and struggled without unified command in the pandemic, the state government has decided to create a separate executive and administrative set-up to boost the public health service in cities and towns. The state Cabinet on Wednesday approved seven new positions to be occupied by experts to streamline the ailing medical care space, dominated by the private sector.

There will be two deputy directors and four assistant directors. Sources said a parallel set-up will work for the rural regions. The Chief Minister's Office said the new set-up will be effective in the management of pandemics and taking preventive measures against infectious diseases.