When Namma Clinics were launched, they promised a beacon of hope for accessible healthcare, offering free neighbourhood-level services and a reliable supply of medicines. However, a recent survey paints a concerning picture: senior citizens in Bengaluru frequently receive only 10 to 15 days’ worth of crucial diabetes and hypertension medications, a stark contrast to the promised month-long supply. This shortfall forces many elderly residents to either purchase expensive medicines privately or, worse, skip vital doses, jeopardizing their health.
The eye-opening survey was conducted by Akhila Karnataka Vayovruddara Okkuta (AIKYATA), an organization dedicated to advocating for senior citizens and retired informal sector workers. It meticulously examined public health facilities across Bengaluru, including Namma Clinics, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and general hospitals. The findings, made public on Friday and supported by public health doctor Sylvia Karpagam and researcher Akhila Vasan, scrutinize everything from accessibility and infrastructure to service delivery and medicine availability.
Persistent Problem: Erratic Drug Supply
One senior citizen shared their frustration: “When we visit the Namma Clinic, we do get medicines for blood pressure and sugar, but the supply invariably runs out within 15 days. Our pleas for a full month’s supply are ignored. This leaves us taking medicine erratically — sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. Then, the staff admonish us for being careless.”
Adding to the concern, the survey highlighted that nurses are solely responsible for dispensing medications at Namma Clinics, often without proper training in pharmacy management. This practice is deemed dangerous, increasing the risk of patients receiving incorrect medications. The report strongly advocates for the establishment of a dedicated public health cadre, professionally trained and qualified to oversee and monitor these facilities regularly.
Despite these critical observations, a doctor from a Namma Clinic acknowledged the issue, stating, “We regularly take stock of shortages and send indents, but the supplies we receive rarely match our requests. We’ve repeatedly urged officials for a more rational practice, but after a while, it feels like our efforts make no difference.”
The problem of inconsistent medicine supply isn’t confined to Namma Clinics; it extends to General Hospitals and PHCs as well. While most hospital pharmacies are operational, shortages are common, often leading patients to private pharmacies. Even with Jan Aushadhi Kendras in place, private pharmacies thrive by advertising generic medicines at substantial discounts, further highlighting the public system’s deficiencies.
Navigational Nightmares: Challenges in Locating Clinics
The AIKYATA teams encountered significant difficulties in locating Namma Clinics during their survey. On one occasion, a team spent over an hour trying to find a clinic that was inaccurately listed on Google Maps. The lack of clear signage on main roads poses a considerable barrier for first-time visitors, especially elderly patients. Such frustrating experiences are likely to deter repeat visits, contributing to the observed low patient footfall at these clinics.
The report underscores this point: “Anyone, particularly the elderly, visiting for the first time will be so discouraged that they may not return for subsequent visits. This could be a major factor contributing to the very low caseload in many Namma Clinics.”
Furthermore, several clinics are situated in non-residential commercial areas or on upper floors, accessible only via steep ramps, making them unsuitable for senior citizens or individuals using wheelchairs. While acknowledging that some clinics were well-maintained and featured separate rooms for doctors, lab technicians, and pharmacies, the overall planning of Namma Clinics was deemed flawed.
“Despite being modeled after Delhi’s successful Mohalla Clinics, there was minimal community consultation before their establishment. Currently, 225 clinics operate within Greater Bengaluru, offering 14 basic diagnostic tests. However, the uneven distribution, with an abundance of clinics in some areas and a complete absence in others, indicates that patient accessibility was not a central planning priority. Effective community mapping and consultation would have ensured a more rational and equitable placement of these essential healthcare facilities,” the report concluded.