The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has found contractors for its Aapli Chikitsa programme aimed at providing patients at civic-run hospitals with basic and advanced pathology tests at subsidised rates.
Metropolis and Thyrocare have been finalised as the contractors and the BMC will spend ₹79 crore on a four-year contract. The proposal, which will be tabled before the standing committee on Wednesday, is likely to face resistance as the programme was initially meant to provide the tests for free, with the BMC bearing the cost.
The programme is aimed at reducing the load on municipal hospitals and providing quality services at affordable rates. A health department officer said, “Not all municipal hospitals conduct advanced tests. Patients have to then pay exorbitant fees at private labs. Now, we are giving them the same tests at cheaper rates.”
The programme will cover 101 tests for dengue, malaria, diabetes, thyroid, leptospirosis for just ₹100. Advanced tests will cost ₹200. The lab attendants will take samples from municipal hospitals and send reports in the stipulated time. The programme will cover 25 hospitals, 175 clinics and 28 maternity centres.