Karnataka: CM Basavaraj Bommai inaugurates 108 Namma Clinics within BBMP limits

In December last year, the chief minister inaugurated 100 clinics at a function held at Bairidevarkoppa in Dharwad.

ByPTI

Published Feb 08, 2023 | 7:32 AMUpdatedFeb 08, 2023 | 7:32 AM

The Namma Clinics will not only conduct health check-ups, but also tests, and medicines will be given free of cost. (Basavaraj Bommai/Twitter)

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday, 7 February, simultaneously launched 108 “Namma Clinics” within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. Bommai inaugurated one such clinic in Mahalakshmipura ward of Mahalakshmi Layout.

The clinics, functioning as urban health and wellness centres, are aimed at heralding a new era in primary healthcare, officials said.

The centres provide comprehensive primary healthcare to the poor, vulnerable, and underprivileged sections in the urban areas, officials said and added that in total, 438 similar clinics are being opened across the state.

In December last year, the chief minister opened 100 clinics at a function held at Bairidevarkoppa in Dharwad.

The 108 Namma Clinics

“Namma Clinic is a revolutionary step. Earlier, there used to be consulting doctors. This concept has by and large gone, and now, if anything happens, the poor will have to go to big hospitals and are deprived of primary healthcare. So the government has taken this initiative by include private clinics into the ambit,” Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters after the launch, he said that besides health check-ups, tests would also be done and medicines would be given free of cost at the clinics, which also has tele-consultation facility, he said.

Under the National Urban Health Mission, there is, at present, a primary health centre for every 50,000 people, officials said.

Under the grant of the 15th Finance Commission, the government is setting up one primary health centre to cater to 15,000-20,000 people in urban areas, they said.

Out of the 438 Namma Clinics, 243 would be in BBMP and the rest 195 in districts, they added.

Services and specialities

Health Minister K Sudhakar, on Monday, said that the clinics are designed to provide universal and comprehensive primary healthcare in urban areas. Referral facility is also available and patients requiring major treatment would be referred to secondary and tertiary centres.

This would not only reduce the cost of treatment, but also decentralise healthcare service, he said.

According to officials, each clinic would have one doctor, one nursing staff, one lab technician, and one worker.

Also Read: Karnataka launches first Brain Health Clinic in Bengaluru

Packages for antenatal, postnatal care, adolescent care, immunisation, family planning, fertility medicine, communicable diseases management, general and minor injuries, preventive care for NCDs, oral care, eye care, ENT, mental health, geriatric care, and laboratory service would be available.

Wellness activities like yoga would be available too, they said.

Namma Clinics are open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM from Mondays to Saturdays.

(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)