Mohalla Clinics an answer to menace of quacks
NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government's Mohalla Clinic scheme has managed to curb mushrooming quacks from unauthorised colonies in the city while providing accessible healthcare facilities to residents.
Even as the AAP had promised to start 1,000 Mohalla Clinics in the city soon after coming to power in 2015, at present, only 300 such clinics are operational. An official said the target of 1,000 Mohalla Clinics is likely to be achieved by the end of this year.
In the last two decades, various governments in the national Capital had been unable to curtail the mushrooming of quacks in JJ slums and 1,797 unauthorised colonies in the Capital. However, the AAP government's ambitious Mohalla Clinic project seems to have been successful in keeping a check on the ill practices.
The Delhi government had allocated Rs 7,485 crore for the health sector in its 2019-20 budget, with Rs 588 crore proposed for construction of new hospitals and remodeling of existing ones.
According to a Health Department official, as many as 21 Mohalla Clinics are operating in double shifts. While a regular Mohalla Clinic is open from 8 am to 2 pm, those with double shifts operate from 7 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 7 pm with two different sets of staff members including doctors, said a health official.
The clinics, which are functional on all days except Sunday, provide services like basic medical care for illness like fever, diarrhoea, skin problems, viral fevers, respiratory problems, first aid for injuries and burns, dressing and management of minor wounds and referral services. It also allows 212 tests.
In Nand Nagari, 29-year-old Najma suffering from viral fever got free treatment and medicine from the nearest Mohalla Clinic. She said, "Why will we go to any other place that has quacks?"
Residents of Shaheen Bagh, Nayeem and Safdarjung areas echoed Najma's thought. "We tried treatment in government hospitals such as AIIMS and Safdarjung hospital but long queues there make it extremely difficult. Visiting private clinics or hospitals is costly. Therefore, we usually opt for a Mohalla Clinic, which offers us affordable treatment," said a resident.
