The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) opened a new civic health training centre in Malad's Malvani area, providing primary healthcare access for nearly 3.5 lakh residents in the western suburbs.
The centre was inaugurated on December 6 by Mumbai Suburban District Co-Guardian Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, in the presence of Maharashtra Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister and District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar.
It has been developed to bring essential medical services closer to suburban communities, reducing travel time for patients and easing the load on larger civic hospitals.
The five-storey facility includes spacious waiting areas, specialised outpatient services, a library, public health museum, vaccination rooms, IEC hall and a research centre. Patients requiring advanced care will be referred to nearby municipal hospitals. It has the capacity to handle 250-300 OPD patients per day.
Three floors have been allocated to the community Medicine department. In the coming months, staff numbers will be increased and an updated Hospital Management Information System will be implemented.
Regular health camps, awareness drives, training sessions and collaborative programmes with local organisations are planned.
A team of 35 members, including professors, associate professors, 20 resident doctors, trainees and support staff, will manage daily operations.
OPD services will be available from 9.30am to 4pm, with special OPDs planned along with routine morning and afternoon sessions.
The centre offers outpatient services in general medicine, women’s health, dermatology, dental care and tuberculosis. Patients requiring specialised or advanced treatment will be referred to nearby BMC hospitals including Harilal Bhagwati Hospital, KB Bhabha Hospital, Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical College and Hospital and Dr R N Cooper Hospital.
Services will be delivered by doctors, staff and students from Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital, as required under the National Medical Council guidelines that make urban training centres mandatory for medical colleges.