‘Mohalla clinics promoted corruption, not public health': Delhi CM at launch of 33 Arogya Mandirs
Thirty-three Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) offering free basic healthcare services were inaugurated across Delhi's 70 Assembly constituencies by the Chief Minister and her Cabinet on Tuesday.
Launching the facility at Tis Hazari, CM Rekha Gupta said these centres would offer permanent, well-equipped infrastructure as compared to the temporary and limited mohalla clinics.
The government has plans to establish 1,139 AAMs across the Capital, with 15 centres in every Assembly constituency. 'The central government had sanctioned Rs 2,400 crore in health grants for Delhi, which went unused for the past five years. The current government has now started utilising that fund to build 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs,' Gupta said.
The AAMs will provide comprehensive healthcare under 12 service packages, including vaccinations for pregnant women, antenatal and postnatal care, mental health services, elderly care, and support for national health programmes like TB elimination, leprosy eradication, and non-communicable disease management.
They will also offer comprehensive OPD services and free consultations. In-house laboratory testing for basic diagnostic tests will also be available at these centres.
'The clinics will be staffed with qualified doctors, nurses, and lab technicians, and will provide preventive healthcare, family planning services, vaccinations, and essential medicines,' said Gupta.
Criticising the previous AAP government's mohalla clinic model, Gupta said it promoted corruption rather than public health — many mohalla clinics were built along roadside drains, staffed by untrained personnel, and relied on outsourced testing, which led to financial misappropriation. She also highlighted issues like excessive rent and how clinics became hotspots for anti-social activities.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh launched the clinic at Vikaspuri while Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa inaugurated the Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Chaukhandi.
Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Sahib Singh launched the facility at Babar Road. In Sarojini Nagar, his wife, Swati Singh Verm, inaugurated the Aarogya Mandir.
Discussing the launch of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the CM said the new government has decided to establish them at all government hospitals. Seventeen centres were inaugurated Tuesday in 17 hospitals.
These facilities will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendra and offer affordable, quality medicines, medical equipment, and surgical items at 50%-80% lower than market rates. This initiative not only offers financial relief to patients but also creates employment opportunities for entrepreneurs, officials said.
Gupta also reaffirmed her government's goal of ensuring three hospital beds per 1,000 citizens in Delhi and promised that no Delhiite would be denied treatment due to lack of access.
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