Mumbai: The BMC earmarked Rs 7,456 crore for healthcare in its 2026-27 budget, a marginal increase over the previous year’s Rs 7,380 crore. While Rs 2,219.7 crore is set aside for capital projects such as the ongoing redevelopment of peripheral hospitals and a 16-storey multi-specialty hospital in Kamathipura, experts argue the revenue expenditure required to maintain the existing infrastructure remains stagnant, keeping the health system struggling even as new buildings are to come up.There will also be an AI-based free eye screening for diabetic retinopathy patients at BMC-run dispensaries in a few wards on a pilot basis. Three more dialysis centres would be initiated on a public-private-partnership basis.The BMC has allocated Rs 5,237 crore for the upkeep of facilities, including maintenance, salaries and essential items such as medicines. This is a mere 0.56% increase compared to last as opposed to 2.16% boost to capital expenditure. Moreover, 17.3% of the budget allocation for the past year was left unused, as actual expenditure stalled at Rs 6,104.75 crore.Health economist Dr Ravi Duggal said the health allocation dropped from 25-30% of the total budget to 9% over the past 2 decades. “This destroyed the health system with huge vacant positions, inadequate supplies, and not enough allocation for maintenance,” he said. BMC sources said hospital heads were told in Dec there would not be much increase in their allocation. “We were told the corporation is in debt,” a senior doctor said.The hospital in Kamathipura will be in the compound of the existing Murli Deora Eye Hospital. The project cost is Rs 135 crore; 30% of the work is completed with a tentative date set at May 2027.An announcement for health recycled from the last budget included the HPV vaccine for girls above 14. Executive health officer Dr Daksha Shah said approvals from the Centre have come through. She said the plan is to include it in the immunisation programme. For two budgets, there were plans for a ‘Zero Prescription Policy’. There was no mention of it this time around. DMC (health) Sharad Ughade said substantial medicines were made available under it.
