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BMC wages war on lifestyle diseases

In its budget, which was presented on Friday, the BMC has hiked its proposed spending on health and medical services by a substantial 30% over the previous year.

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Taking serious note of the spurt in cases of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension, the BMC has proposed an allocation of Rs2 crore to combat the problem. This is a first of its kind effort from the civic body.

In its budget, which was presented on Friday, the BMC has hiked its proposed spending on health and medical services by a substantial 30% over the previous year.

In its bid to take on lifestyle diseases, the civic body will start special a diabetes out-patient department (OPD) in each dispensary of the wards. It will also organise screening programmes for diabetes and hypertension in slum areas in association with the state and the Central government.

Welcoming the move, Dr Sandhya Kamat, dean, Sion hospital, said, “Diabetes and hypertension are urban diseases and caused due to the stress and strains of urban life. By 2025, India is slated to be the diabetes capital of the world. One-third of our population has hypertension.”

The BMC hospitals, namely Sion, BYL Nair and KEM hospital, have been having special diabetes wards for over two decades now. Doctors agree that having special OPDs and screening facilities spread across the city in each ward will definitely make a difference.

“The incidence of diabetes is rising fast. Many patients come to doctors after developing full-blown complications like retinal problems, renal troubles, peripheral arterial diseases and other problems. At a public hospital level, it will help prevent such complications if diabetes is screened and diagnosed early, particularly among poor socio-economic strata who do not have preventive medical care facilities,” said Dr Gustad Daver, the medical director of Hinduja hospital.

However, some say that Rs2 crore is too little to address a problem that is so big. “Conservatively I can say that about 1/4th of the population suffers from diabetes and hypertension. Lifestyle disorders cause nearly 60% of deaths. Rs2 crore is small amount to meet this need. However, it’s a beginning and maybe it will go up next year,” said Dr Manoj Chada, associate professor in Nair’s endocrinology department.

Health provisions in BMC’s 2011-12 budget
1) Six new dialysis centres: Considering the large number of people who suffer from renal failure, the BMC has decided to initiate at least six dialysis centres in the city this year. The new dialysis centres are sought to be established under public private partnerships (PPP) model.

“The number of patients is increasing at a rapid rate. While there are multiple units in the city offering dialysis, the ones available at charitable organisations are not of good quality. Whereas the other dedicated centres with high quality dialysis units are very expensive. Hopefully, the BMC will find a middle ground and make high quality treatment available at affordable rates. They should also maintain the machines well,” said Dr Jatin Kothari, consultant Nephrologist and transplant physician, Hinduja hospital.

2) Breast care centre: The BMC has started a comprehensive programme for early detection of breast cancer. It seeks to equip at least one dispensary/hospital in each ward with clinical skills for the first level screening of breast cancer. Mammography facilities have been established at KEM and Nair hospital. The BMC also plans to establish a specialised cancer care hospital at Shatabdi hospital, Govandi.

3) Liver transplant programme: KEM is the first public hospital to initiate a liver transplant programme. Two state-of-the-art liver transplant modular theatres have been established. So far, three of the four transplants have been successful, the budget statement claimed.

4) Dispensary upgradation programme: Apart from upgradation and modernisation of major hospitals, BMC is focussing on upgradation of dispensaries so that the outdoor patient load on major hospitals can be shared. It has allocated Rs25 crore for the purpose.

5) Facelift of Peripheral hospitals and linkage system with major hospitals: The BMC, apart giving a facelift to existing peripheral hospitals, also plans to have new peripheral hospitals to bridge the gap between demand for and existence beds in the public sector.

6) Maternal and Child care: The Budget promises to enhance and strengthen maternal and child care on priority basis.

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