08 October,2026 10:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The directive was issued by Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Verma Lavangare during an inspection of civic health facilities. Pic via BMC
Mumbai's civic-run health facilities are set to get a digital payment option, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) directing municipal dispensaries, Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhanas to provide online payment facilities to patients.
The directive was issued by Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Verma Lavangare during an inspection of civic health facilities and an anganwadi centre in Malad-Malvani on Thursday.
During her visit to the UPHC at Malvani-2, Lavangare reviewed the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) used for patient registration. She directed officials to introduce online payments to make the registration process more convenient for patients.
She also instructed the civic administration to ensure that all municipal dispensaries and Aapla Dawakhanas have point-of-sale (PoS) machines and digital payment options.
The move is part of the BMC's efforts to make its healthcare services more accessible and technology-driven. Lavangare also reviewed digital systems being used to track patients and monitor health services at the field level.
At an anganwadi centre on Marve Road, Malad, she reviewed the nutritional food provided to children, including the daily diet and monthly distribution of nutrition supplements. She also checked records related to children's health, nutrition, growth and development.
Officials briefed her on maternal and child health programmes being implemented through ASHA workers and health workers, including measures under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' Mission 1000 Days initiative.
The programme focuses on maternal and child health and nutrition from the pre-conception period through a child's first two years.
Lavangare also reviewed measures being implemented to prevent and control monsoon-related illnesses, communicable diseases and tuberculosis.
Lavangare later visited the BMC's Comprehensive Thalassemia Care, Paediatric Haematology, Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplantation Centre in Borivali East.
She praised the centre's work and said its bone marrow transplantation facility had helped several children with thalassemia and other blood disorders receive treatment and move towards a normal life.
The official said the centre's work was noteworthy and had helped build confidence among patients and their families about bone marrow transplantation as a treatment option for thalassemia.
P North Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Kundan Valvi, P East Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Rupali Sarmalkar, Deputy Executive Health Officer Dr Varsha Puri, assistant health officers and medical officers were present during the inspections.
