Delhi Government Increases Planned Health Budget by 45%, Will Set Up New Hospitals

With a view to boost healthcare infrastructure in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday, June 25, 2015, increased the plan health budget by 45%. The Delhi government proposed a total expenditure of Rs. 4,787 crore on health for 2015-2016. This includes planned expenditure of Rs. 3,138 crore, a 45% increase from the previous financial year's Rs. 2,164 crore.

The major focus will be on setting up three new hospitals with total bed capacity of 1,800 at Nangloi, Siraspur and Madipur and setting up 500 'Mohalla Clinics' in various parts of Delhi. The government is also planning to set up five centralized laboratories with modern facilities in north, south, east, west and central Delhi to provide diagnostic services to the patients visiting Mohalla Clinics.

There was also a proposal to set up an Advance Trauma Care Center at Lok Nayak hospital for sports injury rehabilitation with 100 trauma beds including ICU and OT facilities. The other proposals include online booking for free bed facility in 42 private hospitals for the economically weaker sections, health cards for Delhi people to maintain health data, record of registration and treatment of patients at different hospitals of Delhi government, and providing free medicines to the patients through charitable clinics or dispensaries.

Besides, the Delhi government also proposes to set up incubation centers in universities and colleges to promote research and development and remodel 11 existing hospitals which will add 4,000 more beds in two years.

Source: IANS