Delhi gets first family clinic on Britain's NHS model

Family doctors might make a comeback in the country with Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit Saturday launching the first-of-its-kind family health clinic based on Britain's National Health Services (NHS) model.

Family doctors might make a comeback in the country with Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit Saturday launching the first-of-its-kind family health clinic based on Britain's National Health Services (NHS) model.

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“Access to quality, affordable healthcare has been a huge issue in the country and there is a huge gap which the government alone cannot fill. Such projects will reach out to both urban and rural communities,” Dikshit said at the launch.

The clinic — set up by private firm Pathfinder — in Janakpuri area of west Delhi would work through a general physician and nurses in the clinic.

The low-cost primary health care provider will charge Rs 100-300 for the first consultation and is aimed at boosting the primary healthcare system at a local level where tertiary care centres may not be required.

"The centres will also focus on areas such as immunisation, cervical screening, minor surgery, family planning, integrated health-ayurveda, palliative care, district nursing, and diagnostics among others,” said Hardev Pall, director, Pathfinder Health India.