Accident that paralysed mother inspired Dr Ghule, the man behind Mumbai's Re 1 clinics
In the next three months Re 1 clinics will come up at fifty locations across Mumbai including Metro Stations
The hugely famous Re 1 clinics are all set to make their way to Mumbai Metro stations. After treating close to 12,000 patients in just 45 days at a concessional rate of Re 1 per consultation at Mumbai's Central line, Dr Rahul Ghule, the man behind the people-friendly clinics is all set for expansion. Speaking to OneIndia, Dr Ghule said that a personal tragedy was the trigger for Re 1 clinics initiative.
"On the Central line, we are operational at five locations already and in the last 45 days, we have treated close to 12,000 patients. The numbers are only swelling. In the next three months, we will be operational in fifty places in Mumbai. Twenty clinics on Central Line, 20 on western line and 10 in Metro stations is the plan," Dr Ghule said.
The Re 1 clinics are a boon for patients and Emergency Medical Rooms being set up at key stations including Mumbai Metro Stations are expected to help accident victims within the golden hour. While they are operational inside stations, they are open to the public, especially those that hail from poor economic backgrounds.
"The idea behind the Re 1 clinics is to help people get access to healthcare at affordable prices. We charge a consultation fee of Re 1. We also provide medicines at heavily discounted prices. Discount of 40 percent is offered on pathology tests, 20 percent on medicines and almost 50 percent on MRI and CT scans. The clinics are a one-stop solution for healthcare services at very affordable rates. Healthcare is very expensive these days. Even government hospitals are not cheap anymore and poor people cannot afford it. We launched these small clinics so people can save their time and money," Dr Ghule added.
While the consultation fee is Re 1, the clinics charge subsidised prices for tests and scans for patients. While those on the Central and Western lines will work round the clock, those coming up on Metro stations will function according to Metro timings.
Is it a sustainable model?
Dr
Ghule
said
that
an
accident
in
2015
got
him
thinking
about
healthcare
for
the
poor.
In
2015,
Dr
Rahul
Ghule's
mother
suffered
severe
head
injury
as
a
result
of
a
bike
accident.
After
undergoing
two
brain
surgeries,
she
survived
but
the
accident
paralysed
her.
"My
wife
and
I,
both
are
doctors
but
we
could
do
nothing.
We
are
economically
stable
to
provide
my
mother
treatment
in
the
ICU
for
the
next
one
year
but
what
about
whose
who
have
limited
resources?
What
about
the
patients
who
do
not
have
the
right
access
to
the
right
source.
That
is
when
it
occurred
to
be
that
there
should
be
a
model
for
the
society
in
the
health
sector,"
he
said.
The clinics are equipped to handle any emergency. Heath attack or accident patients can be treated in the clinics. 4 or 5 doctors with nurses and attendants will man the clinic round the clock. Dr Ghule says that the number of patients who visit the clinics has increased and that has made it a viable, sustainable model. Patients from other hospitals visit the Re 1 clinics for tests since the costs are cheaper.
While the clinics do not take any donations or avail subsidies from the government, an agreement made with the central government for the next 5 years ensures that the clinics do not have to pay rent, electricity or water bills. Equipment, staff and medicines are the only costs.
"It is a satisfying experience for the doctors are well. After all, this is why we are in this profession. We intend to take these clinics to every district in Maharashtra and every state in the Country," Dr Rahul Ghule said. The clinics at the Metro stations are expected to be inaugurated in August.
OneIndia News