While the centres at five railway stations have been a hit, serving 10,000 patients over the past two months, they themselves are in urgent need of better manpower and other facilities to be able to continue to provide affordable healthcare to every
In May, amid equal anticipation and scepticism, the first-of-its-kind one-rupee clinics were opened at five busy railway stations in Mumbai - Mulund, Ghatkopar, Dadar, Kurla and Wadala. Though just a few months old, more than 10,000 passengers have benefitted from them so far.
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Ex-medical officer at Arthur Road Jail and the brains behind this project, Dr Rahul Ghule said the clinics grabbed headlines after a baby was delivered at the one in Ghatkopar.
At these clinics, doctors provide treatment at just Rs 1; and if it's a medical emergency, then treatment is free. The clinics operate round the clock, while those requiring treatment from the outpatient department are catered to from 8 am to 8 pm. Patients can also buy medicines and get tests done at discounted rates.
mid-day took a test drive and found out that though the clinics are a boon for emergencies and otherwise, they still lack vital infrastructure. And to be able to serve commuters better, they also need more manpower and medicines.
The Rs 1 clinic at Mulund has two MBBS doctors on rotation with one nurse for help
Mulund
15-20 patients visit daily
Staff: Two MBBS doctors on rotation and one nurse
Location: Platform 1
Azhar Khan, 23, a Mulund resident, was at the station when he got severe stomach pain and collapsed. Commuters took him to the Rs 1 clinic, where Dr Nikhil Prakash Supe conducted an ECG and, after providing basic treatment, referred him to M T Agarwal hospital. There, an ultrasound revealed kidney stones. "We brought his pain under control and referred him to a hospital, as we suspected it could be a kidney or an appendix issue," said Supe. On Friday, it was Rajkumar Borikar who rushed there on experiencing sudden chest pain. The doctor checked his blood pressure and did an ECG that ruled out a heart attack. He was given medicines and discharged. For Khan, Borikar and several others, the clinic, its prompt treatment and affordable costs were a blessing, but it needs more to keep up the good work; for starters, specialised doctors. The doctors currently there have completed MBBS and work in shifts with just one nurse for assistance. Also, the store attached to the clinic doesn't stock branded medicines as yet.
The pharmacy at the Wadala clinic is yet to open. Pic/Atul Kamble
Wadala
15-20 patients visit daily
Staff: One MBBS doctor and one BMS doctor on rotation, two male nurses and one female nurse
Location: Platform 1
At this station, there's an advertisement of this clinic on every platform. However, the pharmacy is yet to open, and the space given to the clinic has not been properly utilised. It has two rooms, but only the emergency one is open for doctors and patients, while the other meant to be used as an OPD-lab is locked. "Staff is staying in the room meant for OPD-lab. Once the licence to open it is received, it will be unlocked. But it will be used as a pharmacy" said Dr Ghule. Speaking to mid-day, 83-year-old Ashan Kotak said, "This is my second visit and I am satisfied with the service." Kotak has been coming all the way from Vashi to get his BP checked. Another patient, Sankalp Bopte, 24, who also came to get his BP checked, said, "I visited the clinic after seeing a poster of it at the station on July 18. Prompt and efficient service, and it costs me less than any private lab!"
The Kurla clinic will start stocking branded medicines from July 24, say doctors. Pic/Sameer Markande
Kurla
30-40 patients visit daily
Staff: Three MBBS doctors on rotation and two nurses
Location: Outside the station on the east side
It's been a month, but patients here haven't been getting branded medicines at the pharmacy attached to the clinic. On Friday, Rahul Jadhav, 25, who was suffering from an eye infection, found out that while a board put up outside claimed that medicines were available at 15 per cent discount, they didn't have any of the branded ones that his doctor had prescribed. "I came to the clinic for its cheap consultancy and medicines, but the ones I needed were not available," said Jadhav, an unemployed youth from Kurla East. The doctor at the clinic, however, assured that all branded medicines would be available from July 24. "The pharmacy here opened just 15 days back. At present, generic medicines are available. From July 24, branded ones will be available at 15 per cent discount," reiterated Dr Ghule. Doctors at the Kurla clinic said they were happy to see that within a month so many people had embraced the concept. "It's good to see patients coming in for proper treatment and even follow-ups," said Dr Suraj Divate.
Sixty-year-old Balkrishna, who was brought in at the Rs 1 clinic in Ghatkopar with severely high blood pressure
Ghatkopar
60-65 patients visit daily
Staff: Two MBBS doctors on rotation and 3 nurses till 10 pm
Location: Platform 1
On Friday, when mid-day paid a visit, a 60-year-old passenger was brought in bleeding from his mouth. Doctors performed tests that showed his blood pressure at 160/100. He was referred to Rajawadi hospital. "Our main aim is to provide quick treatment that helps in controlling the mortality rate. In this case, we did an ECG and sugar test on him, and accordingly, referred him to a tertiary hospital," said Dr Aksata Laxman Tare, MD in medicine. Due to the discounted rates for tests, people have started preferring these clinics. Ghatkopar resident, Anwar Inamdar, 50, went to the centre for the blood test of his son Arbaaz, 20, an engineering student. "Our doctor had advised to get a blood test done. When I inquired with labs, they quoted R1,500; this clinic charged only R100. If the same test can be done at a cheaper rate, why should I pay more?" said Anwar. Here, however, the space provided is inadequate, considering the number of people coming in daily. While doctors are available 24/7, nurses work till 10 pm. The clinic is trying to get male nurses for the night shift.
Dadar
80-100 patients visit daily
Staff: Three doctors and three nurses round the clock
Location: Platform 1
The clinic at Dadar is obviously the most crowded and receives the highest number of patients daily, with a majority being residents of neighbouring areas coming for blood tests and basic diagnosis. Sion resident Rajesh Agarwal, 34, who wanted to get a blood test done for his 10-year-old son, ditched private laboratories and went to the Dadar clinic owing to its discounted rates. "Private labs had asked for R3,000 for the blood tests prescribed by our doctor. Then, a friend suggested that I visit the Rs 1 clinic. Here, I got the same tests done for Rs 500," he said. Another local going ga-ga over the clinic is 21-year-old Dakshata Goswami, who had to get down from the train and rush there after developing severe stomach pain. Her reports came normal and doctors gave her injections for the gas-related cramps. "The pain was sudden and severe. Thanks to the clinic I got immediate relief, or else, I would have had to rush to a hospital and run around completing formalities," she said. Dr Ghule said they planned to tie up with BMC soon, and that it would provide more doctors.
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