Nashik : Hundreds of poor patients dependent on free govt healthcare and diagnostic services are being forced to turn to private clinics and laboratories after services under Mahalab and Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana were suspended across state-run health centres over pending dues.
The disruption has affected nearly 4,500 patients who availed diagnostic services daily. Aapla Dawakhanas alone recorded around 800 patients every day. “I need dialysis for my wife (63).
But since that has been closed, people from my areas have been inconvenienced and forced to visit a private clinic or hospital for treatment and other purposes,” Raghunath Kamble of Panchavati said. This will pinch my pocket,” Sinnar farmer Samadhan Sangle said. “Besides NMC (Nashik Municipal Corporation)’s health centres that are available at specific locations only, the Aapla Dawakhanas were located in the areas where they were required most. Basically around the localities of the daily wage workers and slums. Many are now relying on already burdened govt facilities or costlier private centres. The services available with Sinnar centre were good for us. Now, I will have to reach out to some private centre for the same.