Maharashtra Day: HBT clinics in 317 talukas to provide free tests, diagnosis

As of now, the centres will conduct around 30 diagnostic tests including blood sugar, hypertension, blood pressure, T4 test for thyroid, and HbA1C for diabetes.

In the first phase, around 10 clinics have been started in each district. But these are mostly centred in urban regions so far. (Representational Photo)

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The state government inaugurated the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray (HBT) clinics under the Aapla Dawakhana Yojana in 317 talukas across the state on the occasion of Maharashtra Day on Monday.

In the first phase, around 10 clinics have been started in each district, mostly in the urban regions, where patients from economically weaker sections can get 30 medical tests and diagnosis done free of cost.

In March, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra

Fadnavis, who is also the finance minister, announced that around 700 HBT clinics would be established across the state which will provide free medical tests and treatment. Following the successful implementation of the HBT clinics in Mumbai, especially in the slums, the state government has decided to open such clinics in the rural areas to make healthcare more accessible.

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“The clinics operating across Mumbai has benefited thousands of needy patients. So, it is time we replicate the same in the rural regions,” said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “The Covid-19 pandemic taught us the need to strengthen health infrastructure and make the rural regions more self-sufficient,” said Shinde. An officer from the Directorate of Health Service (DHS) said, “The municipal corporations have helped to set up the clinics in urban regions. In the second phase, we will establish the clinics in rural areas.”

For now, the clinics will conduct around 30 diagnostic tests such as blood sugar, hypertension, blood pressure, T4 test for thyroid, diabetes, sodium, potassium, among others. “Once we have more centres, we will also increase the number of tests and test patients for multivitamins, conduct X-ray, sonography and others,” said the officer.

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