The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is poised to relaunch its Aapli Chikitsa programme—offering subsidised diagnostic tests in light of rising monsoon-related illnesses—after the scheme lapsed in December 2024 upon the expiry of its previous contract with Krsnaa Diagnostics. In April, Pune-based Lifenity Health Ltd won the latest tender, pricing basic tests at ₹90 (against the previous ₹86 and an estimated ₹100 cost). Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sharad Ughade announced the scheme should be operational within a week, though officials caution it may take up to a month. Meanwhile, BMC-run centres continue to offer subsidised or free testing, and any suburban shortages of Elisa kits (e.g., for dengue) are covered by sending samples to the Kasturba Hospital lab.

This revival of Aapli Chikitsa comes just ahead of the heavy rains, and it includes approximately 100 basic and 40 advanced tests. The BMC will cover the difference on behalf of patients. Despite the pause in full operations, services didn’t stop entirely—BMC health facilities have been conducting tests under a temporary internal SOP . With Lifenity Health ready to take over and ramp up collection (drawing from all dispensaries, mohalla clinics, maternity homes, and suburban hospitals), citizens can expect the full programme to be back in a few weeks .

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