Gujarat government recently approved to start an urban health programme that will serve the urban poor with OPD services in their vicinity- pretty much like Delhi's Mohalla Clinics.

"Since 48.9 per cent of people in Gujarat reside in towns and cities- the third highest in India- there was a need for more tier-I healthcare facilities for the poor living in the urban areas and slums," stated a Government Resolution (GR) on February 16, 2020.

Currently, there are only 317 U-PHCs and 14 U-CHCs.

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Meanwhile, the Gujarat government also gave permission to set up around 1000 Urban Health Clinics in Nagar Palikas and Mahanagar Palikas at a provisional cost of Rs 80 crore. These facilities would be called ‘Denndayal Clinics’.

Gujarat health minister Nitin Patel had said then that the scheme was announced in the 2020-21 state budget.

"The implementation got delayed due to the pandemic," he added.

Cities having a population of more than one lakh will be given priority. The clinics will be opened in specific locations near urban slums which do not have any public healthcare facility in a 1 km radius of a 3000-4000 population.

OPD’s in the clinics will remain open from 5 pm to 9 pm every day.

Doctors who will be hired on a contractual basis for 11 months will be permitted to conduct private practice at other times of the day.