If there is one industry that has been exposed for its flaws like never before in recent times, it is healthcare. The COVID-19 epidemic demonstrated how the city was unprepared to deal with it due to a lack of effective public healthcare.

The Burhan Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), on the other hand, has yet to learn from the pandemic. Despite proposing a 1,242.27-crore health development project for 2021, the local body has been unable to establish hospitals in every Assembly seat in the last two years. 

Earlier, the BBMP requested that the government establish primary health care facilities (PHCs) in 57 wards as well as a hospital in each Assembly constituency. Aside from that, four new multi-specialty hospitals were planned, along with pediatric care facilities in seven referral hospitals and a physical triage center at 31 PHCs.

When asked, the officials from the BBMP stated that they have set up `Namma Clinics` to improve the healthcare facilities in the city along with PHCs. They noted that along with PHCs, the civic body has also constructed dedicated women`s clinics in 57 locations to provide healthcare services to women from low-income groups who often cannot afford gynecologists and other services. However, it was observed that most of the clinics faced a severe shortage of doctors and medical infrastructure, including medicines.

The BBMP budget for 2023–24 includes Rs. 92 crores for the establishment of 61 basic health care clinics in the city. Additionally, the BBMP has proposed a `One Health Plan` to prevent zoonotic diseases, however, plan has not yet been taken up as per the officials. 

Meanwhile, the BBMP, in collaboration with Bengaluru Smart City Ltd. (BSCL), is establishing a central clinical command center to provide virtual medical consultations, particularly with specialists such as cardiologists and nephrologists, among others, in various BBMP primary health centers (PHCs) and referral hospitals. They have also invited applications from eligible candidates to fill the position.

(Source: https://www.thehindu.com/elections/karnataka-assembly/pandemic-exposed-gaping-holes-in-bengalurus-health-infrastructure/article66759599.ece )