NEW DELHI: Mohalla clinics of Delhi, the flagship project of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will soon get an upgradation where the various important tests for the patients would be outsourced to the private labs. Tenders have also been issued for outsourcing laboratory services for the clinics and mobile health services. This will make the tests faster and perfect.
"The Delhi government tries to give all the tests facilities at the Mohalla clinics but in some places, we face problems due to lack of technicians. Now if we can outsource these tests it will help the patients and also bring down the rush," said an official.
According to the sources, the target of the government is to outsource the lab diagnostic so that if a doctor of Mohallah clinic write a test and the patient goes to the registered private labs then they would be able to do the test and get the government benefits as well. Earlier, the Delhi government also decided to bear all the bills incurred in the treatment of victims of road accidents, burns or acid attacks in private or government hospitals. Moreover, residents of Delhi who are unable to have surgeries at any government hospital in the city now get free surgery in 48 private hospitals without having to worry about huge bills. Under this scheme, the patient needs to submit residence proof with the OPD slip (containing referral to the private hospital) with an authorisation form (available at the hospital) to the nodal officer of the Delhi Arogya Kosh from where he/she will get the authorisation letter allowing treatment at a private hospital. The hospital administration will assist the patients' family in the process.
Earlier this month, after lots of tussle with the DDA, the Delhi government decided to take semi-commercial spaces on rent to make Mohalla Clinics. By November, the Delhi government will make 500 more Mohalla Clinics, said the sources in the Delhi government. In an urgent meeting with the Health Minister, the department took the decision. Sources in the Delhi government also said that next week the department is likely to inaugurate nine Mohalla Clinics at various places
across Delhi.