Patients admitted to Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) hospitals under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) will soon receive free nutritious meals, breakfast and tea during their hospital stay.
The civic body has approved a proposal involving an expenditure of ₹3.20 crore for the initiative. The proposal was cleared during the general body meeting held on Wednesday and is aimed at helping patients from economically weaker sections who may find it difficult to arrange food while undergoing treatment.
Free Food Facility to Cover Seven Major Hospitals
VVMC currently operates several healthcare facilities, including seven hospitals, two mother and child care centres, 21 urban primary health centres, 15 Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Clinics and 45 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
A large number of patients visit these facilities every day, while many patients are admitted for treatment at the civic hospitals. The new food facility will initially cover patients admitted to seven major municipal hospitals.
The proposed daily menu includes morning tea and biscuits along with breakfast such as poha, upma or eggs. Patients will also be provided lunch and dinner consisting of items such as chapatis, vegetables, dal-rice, salad or fruit. Tea and biscuits will also be served in the evening.
Lack of Canteens Had Created Problems
The decision comes against the backdrop of inadequate canteen facilities at several civic hospitals. Patients and their relatives often have to arrange meals from outside, which can be difficult for families with limited financial resources.
VVMC Health Committee Chairman Nilesh Deshmukh said many patients coming to municipal hospitals belong to economically weaker sections and may not be in a position to regularly arrange meals from outside. He said the approved proposal is intended to ensure that patients receive food along with their medical treatment.
The facility is linked to the food provision requirements associated with patients receiving treatment under the MJPJAY scheme. The civic body will initially incur the expenditure, with reimbursement expected under the scheme’s provisions, according to the report.
Mayor Calls for Fresh Food to Be Prepared Locally
The manner in which the meals will be prepared and delivered has also been discussed by the civic administration.
Mayor Ajeev Patil said preparing all the food at one central kitchen and transporting it to different hospitals could result in delays, particularly because of the distances involved. Such a system could also mean that patients receive food after it has cooled.
He therefore suggested involving women’s self-help groups and local organisations located near individual hospitals. Under the proposed arrangement, meals could be prepared closer to the hospitals and supplied fresh to patients.
The distribution and food quality process will remain under the supervision of the VVMC Health Committee, according to the report.
Opposition Leader Seeks Strict Quality Checks
Opposition Leader Manoj Patil welcomed the proposal but stressed that food quality should be closely monitored.
He said providing free meals would be useful for patients, but the administration would need to ensure that the food meets proper hygiene and quality standards.
VVMC officials are expected to begin the tender process before the service is implemented. The civic body has made a provision of ₹3.20 crore for the 2026-27 financial year for the initiative.
