BMC screens 1,80,103 people for non-communicable diseases in nine months, stresses early detection

The Mumbai municipal corporation is now focusing on identifying the risk of disease and starting treatment early, before people have to rush to hospital after an illness worsens. With this approach, the corporation is expanding its preventive health services.

The expansion is aimed at diabetes, hypertension, cancer and mental health problems. Departmental dispensaries, Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana clinics and health centres are being used for the purpose.

According to the figures, a total of 1,80,103 people were screened for non-communicable diseases in the nine months from January to September 2026.

The corporation's emphasis is not only on detecting disease. It is also focusing on linking those found suspect in initial screening to further treatment. Such suspected patients are referred to the corporation's hospitals so that the course of treatment is not interrupted.

Patients with diabetes and hypertension are given guidance by dietitians on lifestyle changes. Between January and September 2026, 65,085 people received diet-related counselling.

Large-scale screening was also carried out for early detection of cancer. According to the corporation, 2,72,428 screenings for oral cancer were conducted in 2025. In the same year, 27,774 screenings for breast cancer and 11,689 for cervical cancer were carried out.

Mental health has also been given priority. Under the corporation's Manshakti programme, 1,68,687 people received counselling in 2025. In the first nine months of 2026, 72,018 people received counselling.

A Healthy Campus initiative will also be run for college students, to spread awareness about diet and lifestyle.

The corporation says the aim of these efforts is to detect diseases early through primary health care and to widen access to treatment.