Fewer Tests, Higher Costs: BMC To Relaunch Apali Chikitsa Scheme With Same Contractor, Raising Concerns

Mumbai: After being suspended for over six months, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to relaunch its subsidized diagnostic scheme, Apali Chikitsa Yojana, in August across civic-run hospitals, dispensaries, and maternity homes. However, the decision to once again award the blood test contract to a single healthcare provider despite past failures has triggered criticism.

Initially launched in 2019, the scheme offered 139 tests (101 basic and 38 advanced) at affordable rates of Rs 50 and Rs100, respectively. It operated across more than 400 municipal health centers, benefitting nearly 4,000 patients daily before it was abruptly halted late last year.

The renewed contract has reportedly reduced the number of tests to 83—66 basic and 17 advanced. Moreover, the BMC has entered into a Rs 112 crore agreement with a target of conducting 70 lakh tests. Under the revised terms, the cost of basic tests has reportedly increased to Rs 100–Rs 120, and advanced tests to as much as Rs 493, up from the earlier Rs 86 and Rs 344, respectively.

A previous contract awarded in 2023, worth Rs 27.5 crore, was prematurely concluded when the firm reached its quota by November 2024—three years ahead of schedule. The company then ceased services, leaving patients in limbo.

The scheme had notably expanded access to tests such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), blood sugar, and urine analysis—particularly for low-income citizens dependent on public healthcare. However, it remains unavailable during the monsoon season, when the need for diagnostic services typically increases.

Civic officials had earlier proposed splitting the contract among three different healthcare providers one each for the City, Eastern Suburbs, and Western Suburbs to ensure service continuity. The idea was that if one provider failed, the others could be assigned the work. However, the BMC eventually scrapped the plan and signed with a single contractor once again.

“This clearly shows that the BMC hasn’t learned from its past mistakes,” said social activist Advocate Faiyaz Alam Sheikh. “With fewer tests now covered, patients will inevitably have to rely on private labs.”

A senior official from the BMC’s health department confirmed that five companies had expressed interest and that the tender process was completed. “The scheme will resume in August with additional safeguards to avoid previous disruptions,” the official added.