Residents of Panvel will soon have better access to free healthcare, with the Maharashtra government approving five new 'Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana' in the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) area.

The civic body currently operates two Aapla Dawakhana. With the latest approval, the number will increase to seven. The new facilities are expected to become operational in the coming days, PMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Anand Gosavi said.