Maharashtra government has started 151 health and wellness centres across 19 districts. According to the state's medical authority, importance will be given to non-communicable disease (NCD), and child and mother healthcare. As per the state government, there has been a rise in cases of non-communicable diseases like diabetics, hypertension, depression, obesity etc. from the rural parts of the state. They also stated that India comprises of 68 per cent non-communicable disease. Dr Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, said, "Looking at the data, on an average more than Rs 25,000 are spent per family on health and treatment. It is an expensive affair for economically backward class families. Less than 15 per cent of the rural population uses public health facilities." He added, "In order to provide facilities that are pocket friendly, around 13 medical facilities related to ENT, dental, mental, geriatric, communicable, non-communicable, ophthalmology, emergency and trauma, child and maternal health will be included at health centres." Soon doctors and other staff members along with paramedical doctors and ASHA workers will be posted at these centres in order to provide treatment to the citizens. As a pilot, it has been started in 19 districts of Maharashtra including Nanded, Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Palgar, Akola, Wardha, Nashik, Latur, Amravati and Satara. "The staffers have been given six months medical training. Soon, around 1200 sub-health centres will initiated too," said a member from the health department. Health centres

Stay updated with all the Mumbai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.