This financial year of 2025-26, the BMC, which is known to be the richest municipal corporation in all of Asia, has earmarked Rs 7,380 crore towards health. This alone makes up for close to 10 per cent of the total civic body budget of Rs 74,427.41 crore.
The biggest highlights of the health budget are the establishment of super speciality hospitals in the suburbs, the addition of 3,500 more beds in government hospitals, the setting up of dedicated oncology and emergency departments at Mumbai's well-known Nair hospital run by the corporation, and the introduction of dialysis facilities and IVF services BMC's three main hospitals in Mumbai viz, KEM, Nair and Sion hospitals.
Rs 5,207.70 crore has been earmarked for operational healthcare expenses while Rs 2,172.73 crore has been assigned for capital investment in healthcare infrastructure.
The focus, say experts, is to undertake new healthcare initiatives, expand existing hospital capacity and bring in new infrastructure that can accommodate several cutting-edge medical and public health programmes too.
The BMC is hoping to take "significant strides towards universal healthcare coverage for all Mumbaikars," said BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in a press conference held in Mumbai on the day of the budget on Feb 4.
Speaking about public-private partnerships in the area of healthcare in Mumbai, Gagrani further said that BMC is implementing the PPP model as a way to enhance healthcare accessibility and reduce operational costs. "Under this initiative, private institutions will be invited for long-term operation and maintenance of hospitals and health centres. This model aims to minimise out-of-pocket expenses for patients while ensuring sustainable healthcare operations."
In the aspect of expanding bed capacity in BMC-led hospitals, the Commissioner said that an additional 3515 beds will be added as part of BMC's hospital redevelopment plan, thereby bringing the total bed availability to 49,893. This will help cater to the rising population in Mumbai's suburbs, especially in the areas of neonatal care and ICU services which need additional infrastructure coming from the private sector.
BMC has been offering free medical consultation from specialists including ENTs, gynaecologists, paediatricians, dermatologists and other medical experts, medicines, and diagnostic services through its Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana network, of which there are 250 at present, including 33 polyclinics and diagnostic centres.
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An additional 25 such centres are planned for the next financial year. However, doctors and health experts have welcomed the Corporation's decision to establish super speciality hospitals offering oncology, nephrology, and cardiology services in the city's peripheral regions so that it can take the burden off civic-run hospitals in the city.
Dr Shailesh Mohite, dean of Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, reportedly welcomed the budget and said. "It will bring in much-required health assistance for cancer patients who can avail cancer treatment at affordable costs." This related to BMC's decision to build a 150-bedded Cancer Unit at Cooper Hospital with Linear Accelerator and Dharamshala in Bandra. It also proposed the setting up of a new Oncology building at Sion Hospital.
Besides, BMC has undertaken steps to ensure hospitals stick to all essential medicines, it has started a citywide doorstep health check-up initiative for early diagnosis and preventive care. Under Arogyam Kutumbham, 23 lakh citizens over the age of 30 years have so far been screened for hypertension and an additional 30 lakh citizens will be screened in this financial year, said Gagrani.
There will also be awareness drives undertaken in schools and colleges advocating the benefits of cutting down on one's salt and sugar intake. It will also advocate the benefits of taking HPV vaccination for 9 to 14-year-old school girls and will counsel women on reproductive health via the 'Maa Mitra' help desks at 38 centres. Cochlear implants will be provided for children with deaf-mutism. TB patients will get kits with masks, sanitisers and spittoons. Advanced MDR-TB testing will be introduced at Kasturba hospital.
