In a significant move aimed at strengthening Delhi’s grassroots healthcare infrastructure, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) across the national capital this week. The dual launch signals the beginning of a broader plan to reform community health delivery, phase out the old mohalla clinic model, and enhance access to affordable medicines.
A New Vision for Neighborhood Healthcare
The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are designed to replace the mohalla clinics established under the previous administration. Officials said the new centers go beyond basic outpatient services by offering comprehensive care for maternal health, child immunization, communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy, as well as non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
“These are not just consultation booths—they are fully functional public health centers built to national standards,” Chief Minister Gupta said at the inauguration ceremony in Tis Hazari. “With qualified staff, digital records, essential diagnostics, and even yoga therapy, the AAMs reflect our government’s commitment to preventive and inclusive healthcare.”
Each facility includes 12 healthcare packages, on-site labs for 14 diagnostic tests, access to 105 essential medicines, and services for mental health, geriatric care, and emergency oxygen support.
Affordable Medicine, Wider Reach
Parallel to the clinic rollout, 17 new Jan Aushadhi Kendras were launched in government hospitals under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. These outlets aim to provide generic medicines at prices 50% to 80% lower than branded equivalents—a move officials say could substantially reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health.
“Healthcare is incomplete without medicine affordability,” Gupta added. “The Jan Aushadhi Kendras will ensure people don’t have to choose between essentials and their prescriptions.”
An Ambitious Rollout Plan
The Delhi government has announced plans to establish over 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs by March 2026, ensuring at least one per assembly constituency. The larger goal is to raise the capital’s hospital bed ratio to three per 1,000 citizens—currently estimated at just 0.42.
This scaling effort is part of the broader “Ayushman Arogya Mandir Abhiyan” under the central government’s Ayushman Bharat initiative. Each AAM is expected to be geo-tagged, digitally monitored, and integrated with Delhi’s health management system for real-time data reporting and patient tracking.
Political Undercurrents
The announcement, while welcomed by health professionals, was not without political friction. The opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which pioneered the mohalla clinic concept during its tenure, accused the current administration of rebranding their work. “This is a political whitewash,” one senior AAP leader said. “The groundwork was laid by us.”
Government spokespersons responded by alleging widespread mismanagement and substandard facilities in the previous setup. “We’re not rebranding, we’re rebuilding,” said a Delhi Health Department official. “The AAMs meet national health standards, something the earlier clinics did not.”
As the new facilities begin operations, Delhi’s residents may soon witness whether the promise of inclusive, quality, and affordable healthcare translates from ribbon-cutting ceremonies to real-world impact.
