The Delhi government on Monday proposed to allocate Rs 5,259 crore for the health department, a hike of Rs 472 crore over last year’s Budget.
Announcing the proposal, deputy chief minister and finance minister Manish Sisodia said: “The health department is being allocated Rs 5,259 crore. Through the money allocated for the health department, Delhi will get 1,000 mohalla (community) clinics and 150 polyclinics in various parts of the city.” Last year’s Budget allocation for health stood at Rs 4,787 crore.
He also announced that the Delhi government has planned to add 10,000 additional beds in its various hospitals. “The existing hospitals are being re-modelled and new institutions are being established. These reforms would provide additional 10,000 beds in the state in the state in next two years,” Mr Sisodia said.
On mohalla clinics, Mr Sisodia said the clinics will meet primary healthcare needs at the door step of citizens and will not need any specialists but have single doctors. A pilot for running 100 mohalla clinics positioned in rented locations will be launched immediately, he said.
“We have also decided to take buildings in various parts of the city on rent to open 100 mohalla clinics through empanelled doctors immediately. The PWD is processing tender for establishing 1000 Mohalla clinics by the end of the year,” said Mr Sisodia.
He also announced that all medicines and diagnostic tests are made free of cost in all Delhi government hospitals with effect from March 1, 2016.
Mr Sisodia said that the government proposed to establish 150 polyclinics out of which 20 have already been operationalised. “The polyclinics will have access to lab network of the government and undertake a wide spectrum of diagnostics such as ECG, X-ray and ultrasound,” he said.
Pointing out that diagnostics is an important aspect of healthcare, Mr Sisodia said the government is planning to expand and enhance its capacities in this area. The government also proposed to expand and complement its capacities in regard to diagnostics through PPP-based lab and radiology diagnostic services. A budget of Rs 410 crore is proposed for procurement of medicines, machinery and equipment.
