Hyderabad City to have 97 more Basti Dawakhanas

Hyderabad: Ninety-seven more 'Basti Dawakhanas' are to be set up in the Greater Hyderabad limits as part of the government's aim to take healthcare within reach of the slums. Each will cover 5,000 to 10,000 residents. Already there are 104 such dispensaries and 30 evening clinics in the GHMC area. These are to be strengthened by the new establishments.

There are also 88 day-care centres for elderly persons at 30 centres across the GHMC limits where yoga and physiotherapy care are being provided. The decision to establish new Basti Dawakhanas was taken at a review meeting addressed by GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore attended by GHMC medical officers, UCD project officials of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Medchal districts.

The meeting was jointly organised by the State Health department, family welfare wing and GHMC. Additional Commissioner of GHMC Sikta Patnaik, health and family welfare commissioner Yogita Rana and others were present.

Addressing the meeting, Dana Kishore directed that the new dawakhanas meet the needs of at least over 100 persons a day. The required buildings should be selected in 15 days. He felt that the dawakhanas, which have been inspired by those in the national capital, could be made more efficient. The dawakhanas already working were meeting the needs of 50-60 persons each for undergoing tests.

Kishore pointed out that Rs 10,000 was being spent on each poor family to meet its health needs. He directed the engineering wing officials to immediately provide the basic facilities for the new dawakhanas.