288 new basti dispensaries to come up in 141 municipalities outside GHMC

Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Tuesday announced its plans to set up 288 new basti dispensaries in municipalities outside the GHMC limits.

On Tuesday, the ministry of health and the municipal departments jointly discussed the setting up of basti dispensaries in the towns. As of now, there are 256 basti dispensaries in GHMC.

State health minister T. Harish Rao said the 256 basti dispensaries in the GHMC area have reduced the burden of medical expenses for the urban poor. "In the same spirit, it has been decided to set up another 288 basti dispensaries in 141 municipalities. They will be available in two phases by 2 June," he said. With this, a total of 544 basti dispensaries will be available across the state.

Mr. Rao added that the municipal department will provide the infrastructure and the health department the medical equipment. Samples will also be collected at all the newly-established basti dispensaries in collaboration with Tea Diagnostic, he said.

IT and MAUD minister K.T Rama Rao said the basti dispensaries were performing well and they were receiving many requests from people who wanted these dispensaries in their areas. He said the IT department will provide the required technical information to the health department in setting us the new dispensaries.

KTR congratulated the health minister and the health workers in the state after Telangana ranked third in the Niti Aayog Health Index.