BMC Health Budget: Highlights for students

Mumbai: A proposal to increase seats in medical colleges, and creation of new posts for both teachers and nurses in various hospitals has been recommended as measures to control, the ever-increasing medical conflicts in the BMC’s health budget for 2017-18. These could pertain to patient load in municipal hospitals, shortage of doctors or the rising doctor-patient tussles.

265 new posts for teachers and 582 new posts for nurses in various hospitals lie vacant. In order to improve primary health services, 816 posts of doctors are to be filled. 400 ventilator are to be installed to overcome, the acute shortage of intensive care support for critical patients . This is to be done with Rs.30 crore sanctioned budget.

To make resident doctors happy, who till last week were protesting against the unsafe and congested living conditions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is constructing new hostels at four locations. A budget of Rs 2.5 crore has been proposed for this.

The health budget this year faces a reduction of ten per cent from Rs 3,693 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 3,311.7 crore for 2017-18. Of this Rs 555.77 crore has been set aside for the capital works — higher than last year’s actual capital expenditure of Rs 442.41 crore.

Steps to control tuberculosis have been made in the form of a significant amount being set aside for the treatment of the disease. The Central government promises to eliminate the disease by 2025.

A new initiative, called Aapli Chikitsa” by the BMC plans to provide blood and urine tests in dispensaries, maternity homes and hospitals. The reports are to be made available on online database for easy access by doctors at BMC health hubs, reports the Indian Express.