Health a priority with seven new hospitals, 15,000 beds

New Delhi: Seven new hospitals, an increase in number of hospital beds from the present 10,000 to 25,000, five de-addiction centres for juveniles, and an increase in number of mohalla clinics and polyclinics were some of the highlights of the health sector, announced in the Delhi Budget on Wednesday.

The AAP government said that the health sector remained its topmost priority after education and that it will strengthen the three-tier system — mohalla clinics, polyclinics, and hospitals — in the next financial year.

One of the main highlights of the sector was announcing setting up of five de-addiction centres for juveniles in Delhi government hospitals. Each centre will have five beds.

Announcing a total Budget of Rs 5,048 crore for health, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia reiterated his government’s plan to set up 1,000 mohalla clinics in 2017-18. Out of these, 150 will be set up before March 31, 2017. For the third tier, the government plans to doubled and increased from the present 10,000 to 20,000.

In addition, seven new hospitals will come up which will have a total of 5,000 beds. Besides, an outlay of Rs 20 crore is proposed for schemes for issuing of health cards and to provide health insurance to all citizens.

The Delhi government has already allowed free MRI/CT scans for citizens availing healthcare facilities through government hospitals. It has also partnered with 41 private sector hospitals having NABH accreditation to deliver treatment in 30 critical and life-saving surgeries.

Under the scheme, patients who are undergoing medical treatment in Delhi government hospitals and having long waiting period, will be referred to private hospitals and the expenditure will be reimbursed by government.