The CPM on Tuesday launched a public health centre in south Calcutta to offer doctor consultation at Rs 50 and plans similar clinics across the state as part of a outreach attempt ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unforeseen situation. Health facilities have been seriously disrupted. These centres will be set up with the motive of providing relief to the people in these trying times,” said Dr Fuad Halim, a CPM member.

According to him, several such clinics — the number would depend on availability of doctors — will be opened in different districts in the next few months as the party is keen on taking healthcare closer to the people.

“We have a pool of doctors... Besides, we will request local doctors to help us at these clinics, which will operate twice a week,” said Halim.

Halim, who had recently recovered from Covid-19, had gained popularity for providing dialysis at Rs 50 to the poor and the deprived before he fell ill. He inaugurated the new centre in the presence of another doctor and filmmaker, Kamaleswar Mukherjee.

Halim, who is also the general secretary of the CPM’s People’s Relief Committee (PRC), explained that the centres — such as the one inaugurated on Rasbehari Avenue in Calcutta on Tuesday — would work in a hub-and-spoke model.

“For instance, patients who might be prescribed for an X-Ray at this centre can avail themselves of the service from a PRC unit at a low cost,” he said.

The PRC itself runs nine health centres across Bengal, including one at Calcutta’s Park Circus, where the cost of consulting a doctor is Rs 5. It also offers X-Ray and Ultrasound diagnosis at affordable rates.

During the lockdown, the CPM had also started community canteens to provide food to the underprivileged. At present, more than 100 such canteens are being operated across the state. While many of these canteens provide food for free, some charge a token amount.

Party sources said the canteens had helped in establishing a better connection with the electorate and had encouraged similar initiatives. “We’ve been mocked by the BJP and the Trinamul Congress for securing only 7 per cent votes in the 2019 elections. But these canteens and the health centres are proof that only we care about the people’s problems,” said a source in the CPM.

“Hundreds of families have taken food from these canteens. We believe such initiatives will help us bring more people towards us,” the source added.