Healthcare Promise Turns Into Frustration in Thane
What started as a promising healthcare project to bring free, doorstep medical services to Thane residents has ended in disappointment. The ‘Aapla Dawakhana’ initiative — once seen as a model for accessible healthcare — has come to a standstill, with nearly 40 clinics across the city now shut down.
And if that wasn’t shocking enough, locals claim some of these closed centres have been turned into private shops — including one that’s now reportedly selling sarees.
The Idea: Free Clinics for Every Neighbourhood
Thane’s population has crossed 26 lakh, and over half of that — roughly 52 percent — lives in slums and chawls. According to health norms, there should be one public health centre for every 30,000 to 40,000 residents. In Thane, though, a single centre currently serves nearly 1.5 lakh people.
To ease the burden, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) had launched around 50 ‘Vandaniya Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana’ clinics. These were meant to deliver free primary healthcare close to home. The project was managed by Bengaluru-based firm MedOnGo, which earned ₹150 for every patient treated.
Read More :- Thane: Massive Fire Erupts at Cotton Godown in Bhiwandi’s Rahnal Village — No Casualties Reported
The Reality: Clinics Shut, Employees Unpaid
But the ambitious plan has hit a dead end. During a public meeting called ‘Jansevakacha JanSanvad’ at the BJP office in Khopat, several residents and former clinic workers shared their frustrations with MLA Sanjay Kelkar.
They revealed that the clinics were suddenly shut down in August, even though the company’s contract ran until October. Many nurses and staff members say they haven’t received salaries for six months — right through the festive season — leaving them financially stuck.
MLA Sanjay Kelkar Demands Action
MLA Kelkar didn’t mince words. “The company has defaulted on salaries and ignored civic orders,” he said. “The TMC says they’ve fined MedOnGo ₹56 lakh, but the company hasn’t paid up. The administration must recover the amount and clear dues of employees immediately. If nothing happens soon, we’ll take this protest to the municipal headquarters.”
He also questioned the civic body’s handling of the project, calling it “short-sighted and experimental.”
“The municipal corporation shouldn’t treat citizens’ healthcare like a lab experiment. People need consistent, reliable services — not symbolic projects that start and stop overnight,” Kelkar said.
Read More :- Raj Thackeray Slams Election Commission, Alleges 96 Lakh Fake Voters in Maharashtra
From Clinics to Shops
Adding to the outrage, Kelkar pointed out that several shuttered clinics have been repurposed into commercial outlets. “One of them is now a saree shop,” he claimed. “If the administration doesn’t act quickly, these spaces will be lost to private interests for good.”
As of now, the Thane Municipal Corporation hasn’t issued any official statement on the shutdowns or the pending dues of employees.
Why It Matters
For a city like Thane — where more than half the population relies on public healthcare — the collapse of Aapla Dawakhana isn’t just a setback; it’s a wake-up call. The initiative was meant to reduce the load on overburdened civic hospitals. Instead, it has left thousands of residents without easy access to basic care, and dozens of healthcare workers jobless.
Until the TMC steps in with answers, the promise of affordable healthcare in Thane remains just that — a promise.
Source :- freepressjournal
