BMC Launches ‘CM Health at Doorstep’ Scheme with INR 1,500 Cr Allocation

Reportedly, BMC spends 15% of its budget on healthcare, a much higher share than any other state in the country, and is expected to spend INR 1,500 Cr to provide these doorstep benefits.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched ‘’CM Health at Doorstep’’ scheme for Mumbai citizens to offer healthcare services at their doorsteps. Additionally, a fund of INR 1,500 Cr has been allotted towards the scheme.

This scheme focuses on reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and diagnostic services such as taking blood samples of above 60 years citizens. Moreover, over 4,500 drug-consumable services will be provided to patients at their doorsteps.

Reportedly, BMC spends 15% of its budget on healthcare, a much higher share than any other state in the country, and is expected to spend INR 1,500 Cr to provide these doorstep benefits.

Further, it is looking to provide skilled medical professionals, IT support and advanced solutions to make quality healthcare available to residents in Mumbai. However, the scheme is expected to roll out soon by the end of the year.

Expressing his thoughts on the scheme, N Nawin Sona, principal secretary, Public Health Department, Maharashtra Government, said, ‘’The government is working on a roadmap to make healthcare accessible, accountable and affordable. Technology adoption is key to reducing the cost.’’

As for the BMC, they have implemented various healthcare initiatives in the past. One such initiative is the ‘Health Equity Accelerator’, which focuses on advancing their mission of health justice in crucial clinical areas, including Equity in Pregnancy and Equity in Diabetes initiatives.

Recently the Maharashtra government partnered with Godrej, CHRI-PATH & FH India to tackle vector-borne diseases. The program also addresses the alarming surge in dengue and chikungunya cases, primarily focusing on the Thane-Palghar district. To achieve these ambitious goals, the support program is set to appoint three state-level experts and 24 district-level human resources.

Apart from the Maharastra Government, there have been similar initiatives by other state governments in India. For instance, the Tamil Nadu government launched a ‘doorstep healthcare’ scheme called ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’. This initiative aims to eliminate the need for patients to visit hospitals to treat non-communicable diseases.

The Government of India has also taken several steps to improve healthcare accessibility throughout the country. These include the Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) through Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), National Free Drugs Initiative, Free Diagnostics Initiatives (FDI), National Ambulance Services (NAS), and National Mobile Medical Units (NMMU).

These initiatives aim to provide essential drugs, diagnostics, and emergency medical services free of cost, and facilitate access to public healthcare at the doorstep, particularly for people living in remote, difficult, under-served, and unreached areas.