DELHI GOVERNMENT'S THREE-TIER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM A HIT

In a bid to revolutionise the healthcare system, the Delhi Government has adopted a three-tier set-up to meet the challenges and the initial results suggest that the new system is proving to be a boon for delhiites.

At the primary level there are Mohalla Clinics for minor diseases, while polyclinics will work at the secondary level. The state-run big hospitals are at tertiary level where patients with serious illnesses will be treated.

Presently 22 polyclinics are operating successfully and the government aims to finish building 150 polyclinics by February 2017. Inaugurating the first polyclinic, the Chief Minister had said, “This clinic is a part of our efforts to bring healthcare closer to your home. Now you don’t need to go to big hospitals unless you need to be admitted or during emergencies. While there is one doctor in the mohalla clinic, the polyclinic will have doctors from specialties such as orthopaedics, gynaecology and paediatrics”.

Seema, a resident of Pashchim Vihar was full of appreciation when she was asked about the polyclinics. “Earlier we used to go far off for small ailments. Now we have a swanky and equipped polyclinic in our neighbourhood,” said she.

These polyclinics have doc- tors from eight specialities such as orthopaedics, gynaecology and paediatrics, etc. They provide medical test facilities such as X-ray, ECG and ultrasound.

“We have never expected that medical facilities can be so accessible, today we have all kind of doctors and tests at our doorsteps. This change in healthcare system needs to be emulated everywhere,” said Furqan, a resident of Gandhinagar, when asked about his comments on Delhi Government polyclinics.

The footfall is quite good and we are catering to several patients. It feels good to be a part of the changing healthcare system, said a doctor working at one of the 22polyclinics of Delhi.

The first polyclinic, which was started in Gandhi Nagar in East Delhi, saw around 600 patients on the first day.

Delhi Government has earmarked Rs 5,259 crore for the health sector in its 2016-17 budget, a hike of close to 10 per cent over the allocation last fiscal.

INAUGURATING THE FIRST POLYCLINIC, THE CHIEF MINISTER HAD SAID, “THIS CLINIC IS A PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO BRING HEALTHCARE CLOSER TO YOUR HOME. NOW YOU DON’T NEED TO GO TO BIG HOSPITALS UNLESS THERE'S AN EMERGENCY. THE POLYCLINIC WILL HAVE DOCTORS FROM DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES”.