The BJP government in Karnataka on Wednesday simultaneously launched 114 'Namma Clinics', which would provide primary healthcare services to vulnerable sections, especially the urban poor and daily wage workers, across the state.

The Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai inaugurated a Namma Clinic at Bhairidevarakoppa in Hubballi of Dharwad district in the presence of Health Minister K Sudhakar, among others.

In the budget this year, CM Bommai had announced that 438 ‘Namma Clinics’ will be established in major cities of Karnataka.

Speaking at the launch of 114 Namma Clinics in the first phase , CM Bommai said, “Namma Clinics will provide different health services under one roof. These clinics will provide better healthcare services to the poor, lower middle class people living in urban areas, daily wage workers and migrant workers."

"A separate grant will be set aside in the state budget for the upgradation of ‘Namma Clinics’ across the state. With an aim to provide primary treatment for the poor, 438 ‘Namma Clinics’ are being established across the state. Even telemedicine systems will be linked.” he added.

Health Minister K Sudhakar said the government is working to operationalise all 438 Namma Clinics across the State as announced earlier and all the remaining ones will be functional by January-end.

“The simultaneous inauguration of 114 Namma Clinics in the first phase is a major milestone in our endeavour of ensuring Universal Primary Healthcare Coverage and providing comprehensive primary care with preventive and promotive healthcare especially to the urban poor" the Health Minister said.

"No government has ever inaugurated 114 clinics in one go. Earlier, the poor had to go to district hospitals for minor issues like fever, cough and cold. But now, they can visit these clinics and get free treatment.” he added.

Namma Clinic- Service Offered, Funding And Staffing

Each Namma Clinic is expected to cater to a population of 10,000 to 20,000. The 12 kinds of services provided in the clinic includes pregnancy, postnatal, neonatal care, childhood and adolescent care, universal immunisation services, family welfare, contraceptive, infectious disease management, common and minor ailment care and diabetes.

Each Namma Clinic will consist of a medical officer, a nurse, lab technician, and a Group D employee.

In addition to providing healthcare, the clinics, which are established in government and rented buildings with an area of 1,000-1,200 sq ft, will focus on creating awareness about government healthcare schemes. They will also create awareness about yoga, pranayama, dhyana and food habits.

The state government will spend Rs 138 crore to maintain staff each year, and is estimated to incur a non-recurring cost of Rs 18 crore to establish the clinics.

243 Namma Clinics In Bengaluru Urban

A total of 243 of Namma Clinics will be functioning under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area, and work is underway to make them operational for public service by January second week.

BBMP is currently hiring doctors for managing 63 Namma Clinic. 180 medical officers have been appointed.

In November, the civic body invited applications from MBBS degree-holders for 63 posts on contract basis. Doctors will be paid a remuneration of Rs 47,250 per month and medical officers heading Namma Clinics will need to have knowledge of Kannada.

(With inputs from PTI)