[ad_1]
Mumbai: The BMC has unveiled a series of initiatives under its health budget of Rs 7,380.4 crore, with a key focus on ward-wise comprehensive cancer care through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The budget reflects a 2.63% increase from last year’s estimate of Rs 7,191.2 crore, though revised figures for the previous fiscal stood at Rs 6,350.5 crore. Of the total, Rs 2,172.7 crore is revenue expenditure and Rs 5,207.7 crore is capital expenditure. The allocation is also 10% of the total budget of Rs 74,427 crore.
It also includes redevelopment plans for 12 hospitals, expected to be completed mid-year, which will raise the city’s public hospital bed capacity from 15,302 to 18,887. The cancer care initiative will operate twice a month from existing health dispensaries and clinics, providing screening and diagnostic services for oral, breast, and cervical cancer, along with counselling and referrals. It will be in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital, private institutions, NGOs, and other public and private hospitals.
“Women above 30 should undergo breast and cervical cancer screening every two years. Pap smear tests for cervical cancer will be conducted in polyclinics with gynaecologists, while breast cancer screenings will take place in dispensaries and maternity homes,” Dr Daksha Shah, executive health officer, said.
Pap smear is a procedure that examines cells from the cervix for precancerous or cancerous changes. According to the health department data, in 2022 mortality records indicate that 11% of total deaths were due to cancer, primarily oral, breast, and cervical cancers.
The budget also proposes a pilot programme for HPV vaccination for schoolgirls aged 9 to 14 to prevent cervical cancer. “While we have approval, we are awaiting the Centre’s guidelines for a comprehensive rollout, which will take place in BMC schools,” Dr Shah said.
PPP initiatives have been a key focus, aimed at reducing financial strain on both patients and the BMC. “BMC is coming with a PPP policy to make health services more accessible and affordable to citizens,” the budget documents said. Milind Mhaske of the Praja Foundation said such models could help ensure affordability while maintaining service quality.
BMC currently operates 250 Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhanas, which have seen 90 lakh patients since their launch in 2022. The budget includes provisions for 25 more such clinics and three physiotherapy centres.
Mumbai: The BMC has unveiled a series of initiatives under its health budget of Rs 7,380.4 crore, with a key focus on ward-wise comprehensive cancer care through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The budget reflects a 2.63% increase from last year’s estimate of Rs 7,191.2 crore, though revised figures for the previous fiscal stood at Rs 6,350.5 crore. Of the total, Rs 2,172.7 crore is revenue expenditure and Rs 5,207.7 crore is capital expenditure. The allocation is also 10% of the total budget of Rs 74,427 crore.
It also includes redevelopment plans for 12 hospitals, expected to be completed mid-year, which will raise the city’s public hospital bed capacity from 15,302 to 18,887. The cancer care initiative will operate twice a month from existing health dispensaries and clinics, providing screening and diagnostic services for oral, breast, and cervical cancer, along with counselling and referrals. It will be in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital, private institutions, NGOs, and other public and private hospitals.
“Women above 30 should undergo breast and cervical cancer screening every two years. Pap smear tests for cervical cancer will be conducted in polyclinics with gynaecologists, while breast cancer screenings will take place in dispensaries and maternity homes,” Dr Daksha Shah, executive health officer, said.
Pap smear is a procedure that examines cells from the cervix for precancerous or cancerous changes. According to the health department data, in 2022 mortality records indicate that 11% of total deaths were due to cancer, primarily oral, breast, and cervical cancers.
The budget also proposes a pilot programme for HPV vaccination for schoolgirls aged 9 to 14 to prevent cervical cancer. “While we have approval, we are awaiting the Centre’s guidelines for a comprehensive rollout, which will take place in BMC schools,” Dr Shah said.
PPP initiatives have been a key focus, aimed at reducing financial strain on both patients and the BMC. “BMC is coming with a PPP policy to make health services more accessible and affordable to citizens,” the budget documents said. Milind Mhaske of the Praja Foundation said such models could help ensure affordability while maintaining service quality.
BMC currently operates 250 Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhanas, which have seen 90 lakh patients since their launch in 2022. The budget includes provisions for 25 more such clinics and three physiotherapy centres.
[ad_2]
Source link
