Primary care for India’s urban dwellers living in informal settlements during the COVID-19 pandemic: The experience of the Christian Medical College, Vellore, Department of Family Medicine

Abstract

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has affected the entire global community.By August 2020, India had seen over 2.8 million cases and 55,000 deaths. 1 COVID-19 disproportionally affects India's 81 million people living in urban informal settlements, where inadequate housing, water and sanitation increase the risk and rate of infection.2 Healthcare in India is provided by a combination of public and private providers, where public insurance schemes have been historically ineffective in providing full coverage.3 Innovative ways to provide care to these vulnerable communities during the pandemic are essential.Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, is a non-profit medical school, hospital and research institute in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.4 CMC's Low-Cost Effective Care Unit (LCECU) is run by CMC's Department of Family Medicine (DFM) to respond to the healthcare needs of the urban dwellers living in informal settlements.The unit is staffed by 75 employees and comprises four family physicians, two community medicine physicians, a pharmacy, a laboratory and a 48-bed ward including a labour room.In 2019-20, the LCECU saw 77,875 patients.Patients receive free consultations and are admitted for subsidised care if needed.Diagnostic tests and medications are