Free Health Screening at all Dispensaries Across Mumbai

Come March, 175 BMC-run dispensaries will offer free pathology tests to people below the poverty line. And for other citizens, the dispensaries will charge Rs 50 for basic tests and Rs 100 for advanced tests. On Wednesday, the Standing Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cleared a proposal to start pathology tests at its dispensaries. Currently, patients have to go to major hospitals or expensive private labs to get these tests done. In all, 101 basic tests and 38 advanced tests will be covered under the new policy. Leader of Opposition Ravi Raja sought an amendment to the proposal and demanded that the facility be given free of cost to all citizens, which was turned down during voting. Meanwhile, Manoj Kotal of the BJP moved another amendment, to demand that the facility be free of cost for people below the poverty line, and at a nominal rate of Rs 50 for basic tests and Rs 100 for advanced tests for all other patients.

The proposal was cleared after Kotak’s amendment. The pathology tests, under the Aapli Chikitsa scheme, will start from March 1 in all dispensaries. The BMC appointed Thyricare and Metropolis to conduct the pathology tests. It would pay Rs 223 to private contractors for basic tests and Rs 892 for advanced tests, although the rates charged from consumers remains the same at Rs 50 and Rs 100 respectively. Aapli Chikitsa is an initiative of the BMC, modelled after the Mohalla clinic model of the Delhi government. “Patients’ problems will be screened during Aapli Chikitsa and treatment can accordingly be suggested,” an official from the BMC’s health department said. “If the doctor advises further treatment, blood tests can be taken and the patient will get reports from these dispensaries. They need not go to major hospitals anymore.” – DNA India