Pharma companies like Nicholas Piramal, Pfizer, Sandoz, Elder Pharmaceuticals, Shalaks Pharma, etc. can supply medicines and other essential items at concessional rates in these urban healthcare centres.

Due to urban migration and massive inflow of population to the towns and cities, the health status of urban poor and slum dwellers is dismal. There have not been any well-planned and concerted efforts to provide primary health care services to these needy classes within 2-3 Kms. of their residence. As a result there is either a non-availability or at times under-utilisation of available primary health care facilities and consequent over-crowding at the secondary and tertiary care centres.

Urban slums are not getting their adequate share of these centres facilities because it is inaccessible to urban poor due to long distance, acute shortage of health infrastructure and private sector’s high cost healthcare services are unaffordable for the urban poor.

The urban hospitals and dispensaries established years ago need renovation and should be re-equipped with adequate manpower, essential drugs and supplies and providing mobility.