Thirteen municipal dispensaries, upgraded to Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Primary Health Centres, will open in June, officials said on Monday. Each will provide 139 tests and check-ups for cancer, diabetes hypertension and heart diseases, at nominal rates. Two centres are opening in the south, seven in the western suburbs and four in the eastern suburbs. X-ray screening, CT scan and mammography are among the tests to be available at the centres.

“We have identified the locations of the centres and they will start in June. They will provide primary health services and basic tests with the aim of decongesting major hospitals,” said Sanjeev Kumar, BMC additional commissioner.  The centres will provide preventive and primary treatment facilities to citizens close to their homes. “Examinations and check-up programmes for diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease will be arranged. These centres would reduce the load on major and peripheral hospitals of patients seeking primary treatment,” said an official.