Delhi government plans to open 1,000 neighbourhood clinics in 1 year

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has planned to open around 1,000 neighbourhood clinics in the next one year aimed at improving nutrition levels of people in the city's slums, and making anaemic women in such areas more immune to diseases.

Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain said that over 80 per cent women were suffering from high deficiency of haemoglobin in areas where such clinics have been opened recently, he said while addressing a symposium organised by ASSOCHAM here.

The minister said this was indicative of a need for more vitamins, minerals and food supplements.

"So we have planned to open around 1,000 neighbourhood clinics in the next one year to improve nutrition levels of people in slum areas, and make anaemic women in such areas more immune to diseases," Jain said.

"While there was high level of poor nutrition, demand in the government clinics for vitamin and other nutrient tablets was low. The government had therefore decided to adopt a fire- fighting mode to protect health", he said.

The minister also released a ASSOCHAM-RINCOS knowledge paper on nutraceuticals, herbals and functional foods on the occasion.