Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday simultaneously launched 108 "Namma Clinics" in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits.

Bommai inaugurated one such clinic in Mahalakshmipura ward of Mahalakshmi Layout today.The clinics, functioning as urban health and wellness centres, are aimed at heralding a new era in primary healthcare, officials said. The centres provide comprehensive primary healthcare to the poor, vulnerable and underprivileged sections in the urban areas, officials said, adding that totally, 438 similar clinics are being opened across the State.

In December last, the Chief Minister opened 100 clinics at a function held at Bairadevarakoppa in Dharwad.? "Namma Clinic is a revolutionary step. Earlier, there used to be consulting doctors, this concept has by and large gone, and now if anything happens, the poor will have to go to big hospitals, and are deprived of primary healthcare, so the government has taken this initiative by include private clinics into the ambit," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters after the launch, he said besides health checkup, tests would also be done and medicines given free of cost at the clinics, which has tele-consultation facility too, he said. Under the National Urban Health Mission, there is, at present, a primary health centre for every 50,000 people, officials said. Under the grant of the 15th Finance Commission, the government is setting up one primary health centre to cater to 15,000-20,000 people in urban areas, they said.?

Out of the 438 Namma Clinics, 243 would be in BBMP and the rest 195 in districts, they added. Health Minister K Sudhakar on Monday said the clinics are designed to provide universal and comprehensive primary healthcare in urban areas. Referral facility is also available and patients requiring major treatment would be referred to secondary and tertiary centres.?This would not only reduce the cost of treatment but also decentralise healthcare service, he said.

According to officials, each clinic would have one doctor, one nursing staff, one lab technician, and one worker. Totally, packages for antenatal, postnatal care, adolescent care, immunisation, family planning, fertility, communicable diseases management, general and minor injuries, preventive care for NCDs, oral care, eye care, ENT, mental health, geriatric care and laboratory service would be available.? Wellness activities like yoga and referral services would be available, too, they said. Namma Clinics are open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM from Mondays to Saturdays.