Shri K Sudhakar said that the appointment of 160 doctors has been completed.
Bangalore:
Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Thursday said that the Karnataka government will open 438 ‘Namma Clinics’ across the state, of which 243 will be in Bengaluru.
The minister was talking to reporters after inspecting a model ‘Namma Clinic’ unit at Mahalaxmi Layout in the city.
“We will set up 438 Namma clinics across Karnataka. Of them, 243 will be in Bengaluru. Each clinic will consist of a doctor, a nurse, a lab technician and a Group D staff,” he said.
Shri K Sudhakar said that the appointment of 160 doctors has been completed.
He said the Bengaluru Municipal Corporation (BBMP) has issued a notification for the appointment of doctors for the ‘Namma Clinic’, which is expected to be completed by the end of this week.
He said that the appointments of remaining staff for 243 ‘Namma Clinics’ in BBMP limits have been completed.
“The program is focused to address the healthcare needs of the urban poor, especially those below the poverty line and those living in slums. Each ward of the city will have at least one Namma Clinic and will function as a PHC. In addition to providing healthcare, the clinics will focus on creating awareness about government health schemes,” Mr. Sudhakar explained.
As per the guidelines, there are population wise primary health centers in rural areas. However, there are not enough government health centers to cater to the population in urban areas. Hence, this new scheme has been launched, the minister informed.
Mr. Sudhakar said that the clinics are being set up in government and rented buildings, which have an area of 1,000-1,200 square feet.
“The government will spend Rs 138 crore every year to retain the employees,” he said.
According to him, the clinics will also create awareness about yoga, pranayama, meditation and eating habits.
A health department official said apparently taking inspiration from the Delhi government’s Mohalla clinics, the health department aims to set up ‘Namma Clinics’ in every ward of Bengaluru.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)