With a total expenditure of Rs 5259 crore in the health sector for year 2016-2017, the AAP- led Delhi Government aims to make the three-tier healthcare system robust by reforming hospitals and launching Mohalla Clinics and Polyclinics .
However, health experts showed mixed reactions. While a few medical officials felt that the Government should work in a time-bound manner, others acknowledge pragmatic approach of the Delhi Government for setting up 1,000 Mohalla Clinics, along with giving importance to diagnostics services and focusing on the survival of rape victims.
Hundred Mohalla Clinics will be launched by April 10 in various parts of the city, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. It may be noted that the Delhi Government has proposed to build 1,000 Mohalla Clinics by the year end.
Dr KK Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General at Indian Medical Association said, “It is good that the Government is trying to curtail the burden from the bigger hospitals. Till now, there is only one Mohalla
Clinic. The health services would be much better if Mohalla Clinics would have been launched earlier.”
While the plan Budget include Rs 3200 crore, which is 16 per cent of total plan outlay, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday announced that the PWD is processing tender for setting up 1,000 Mohalla Clinics by end of the year.
The second tier in the healthcare system is polyclinic providing diagnostic test facilities with specialist doctors. The city Government has proposed for commissioning 150 polyclinics of which 22 polyclinics are functional now.
Keeping in mind diagnostic services as an important part of healthcare, the State Government has proposed to expand diagnostic services through PPP based lab and radiology diagnostic services. For this, an outlay of Rs 70 crore is proposed for lab diagnostic, Rs 10 crore for Tele Radiology and Rs 5 crore for CT/MRI facilities to be set up in PPP mode.