As per the scheme, on contacting the civic body’s helpline 1913, a laboratory technician will be on your doorstep to collect the blood sample.

It will be analysed at a diagnostic lab run by the civic body at a nominal cost.

Addressing the gathering, Subramanian said the initiative would help poor people to do the laboratory tests essential for diagnosis at an affordable cost. He pointed out that only a nominal fee of Rs 10 is charged for the Total Count test, while a blood sugar test would cost Rs 15. But, no service charge would be collected.

“A master health check up would cost Rs 750.

It will be four times in a private hospital,’’ he said, and added that people could book for availing of the facility by dialling the civic body’s helpline 1913. Subramanian, who revealed that the scheme was announced in the 2009-10 Corporation budget, said 10 lab technicians would be available in all the 10 zones under the Corporation and tests will be done at six diagnostic centres.

The Mayor later flagged off the lab technicians in two-wheelers, but they were not carrying any ice-packed kit to preserve blood samples.