The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) had earlier announced its plan to open 11 urban health and wellness centres to enhance its healthcare infrastructure. The first step in this direction was the inauguration of an Urban Health and Wellness Centre (UHWC) in the Indralok neighbourhood of Bhayandar (East) on May 1. However, the journey was not without any hurdles.
After the opening, the health centre received a very average response. In the first month, it only saw about a hundred patients. Then, ten of the eleven MBBS doctors appointed by the state government to manage the facility resigned shortly after the centre's opening. The reason behind this mass resignation was reportedly the modest monthly salary of INR 60,000.
Understanding the urgent requirement of these centres across the twin cities, the local government has now decided to supplement an additional INR 20,000 to the doctors' salaries from its own budget.
According to NUHM standards, one urban public health centre (UPHC) is required for every 50,000 people. For a population that has already surpassed 14 lakh, the MBMC only has 10 PHCs, which leaves a huge gap in the provision of appropriate healthcare facilities for the people.
To mitigate the issue, UHWCs were planned by the government. They are projected to handle 15000 to 20000 people. These will be made with the funding of the 15th Financial Commission.
According to reports, the government has approved 24 more centres in addition to the original 10. These centres would require thirty-five doctors, with ten doctors being hired in the first phase to manage the 11 sites.
These centres aim to provide comprehensive primary healthcare and bring medical facilities closer to people's homes. They will offer a variety of services, including an outdoor patient department, free medications, a unit for collecting urine and blood samples for various lab tests, a check-up area for expectant mothers, a special referral service to specialists, and counselling.
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