The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) opened the first Vande Mataram Public Health Centre at Bhiwsenkhori in Dabha in 2021. It was the first of 75 such clinics announced by the then Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari. The project was proposed under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence. Of the 75 clinics, only 7 are functional while three await their inauguration. The project failed to gain momentum as the then Mahavikas Aghadi Government provided little support to it. Meanwhile, the present Shinde-Fadnavis Government has announced Balasaheb Thackeray memorial Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to be run by State itself. Total 113 such clinics were proposed in Nagpur. Presently, the city got approval for 20 HWCs.

 

Vande Mataram clinics are to be run by non governmental organisations (NGOs) while HWCs are to be managed by the State Government. The civic body had identified locations for all 75 Vande Mataram clinics across 10 zones. The centres were planned near community halls or at locations needing primary health care services. NMC was to provide infrastructure while the health centres were to run with the help of NGOs. Providing primary medical health services at a nominal fee of Rs 10 was the responsibility of NGOs. For the project, NMC had received around 150 oxygen concentrators from different NGOs. According to Dr Narendra Bahirwar, Health Officer, NMC, the scheme received poor response from NGOs as only 7 organisations showed interest.

 

Former Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari told ‘The Hitavada’, “Seven such clinics have started and are fully functional. Three more will be inangurated soon. With HWCs announcement, the places allocated for Vande Mataram will be given for the new project.” “HWCs will not have any involvement of private party or NGO. They will be run by the Government. From providing space, infrastructure, doctors, paramedical staff, equipment, medicines; all will be looked after by Government. Now, the idea of HWCs will work in an effective manner. We have received funds for 20 such HWCs and we are awaiting funds for 93 more clinics,” Tiwari added. Every citizen will get timely health care services at affordable prices. This is a good step taken by Maharashtra Government, pointed out Dr Vandana Kate, President of Indian Medical Association, Nagpur branch.