The Eknath Shinde-led government inaugurated the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray (HBT) clinics under the Aapla Dawakhana Yojana in 317 talukas across the state on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.
In the first phase, around 10 clinics have been started in each district, mostly in the urban regions, where patients from economically weaker sections can get 30 medical tests and diagnosis done free of cost.
In March, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the finance minister, announced that around 700 HBT clinics would be established across the state which will provide free medical tests and treatment.
Following the successful implementation of the HBT clinics in Mumbai, especially in the slums, the state government has decided to open such clinics in the rural areas to make healthcare more accessible.
The clinics operating across Mumbai has benefited thousands of needy patients. So, the government decided to replicate the same in the rural regions, Shinde added.
He further stated that the pandemic has taught that there is a need to strengthen health infrastructure and make the rural regions more self-sufficient. Therefore, in the second phase, they will establish the clinics in rural areas.
For now, the clinics will conduct around 30 diagnostic tests such as blood sugar, hypertension, blood pressure, T4 test for thyroid, diabetes, sodium, potassium, among others. Once there are more centres open up, the number of tests will be increased and test patients for multivitamins, conduct X-ray, sonography and others.
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