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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, leading the BJP government in the capital, announced on Tuesday the inauguration of 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) across the city, marking a significant step in the government’s plan to revamp primary healthcare access for residents.
Speaking at the citywide launch event in Tis Hazari, CM Gupta described the rollout as a “decisive break” from the previous Mohalla Clinics model introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which she alleged was marred by fake tests and corruption. She emphasized that AAMs are not merely OPD centres but will offer comprehensive healthcare under 12 service packages, covering maternal and child health, mental healthcare, geriatric support, and chronic disease management, including TB, leprosy, and diabetes. The new centres will also provide lab tests, preventive care, and support for national health programmes.
Gupta disclosed that the central government had sanctioned ₹2,400 crore for these facilities in 2020, but the previous AAP government allegedly blocked implementation. “We have just eight months to execute what should have been done over five years,” Gupta said, noting that a total of 1,139 Arogya Mandirs have been sanctioned and must be completed by March 2026 to prevent funds from lapsing. Each of Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies is slated to receive 15 AAMs.
The new AAMs are designed with permanent infrastructure, qualified staff, and digital health records, aiming to replace Mohalla Clinics wherever they are established. The government has also launched 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which will supply generic medicines and surgical supplies at 50-80% below market rates under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme. These centres are expected to be expanded to all government hospitals in Delhi, providing both financial relief to patients and employment opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Singh highlighted that access to quality healthcare and cleanliness is a fundamental right for every Delhiite, and the new centres will reduce the need for visits to large hospitals for basic treatments. AAMs will offer OPD services from 8 am to 2 pm every day except Sunday.
The launch was met with criticism from the AAP, with Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj accusing the BJP of rebranding existing Mohalla Clinics as AAMs. “They’re repainting Mohalla Clinics and calling them AAMs,” he said, citing the Chirag Delhi dispensary as an example.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information from the Hindustan Times and other cited sources. Any allegations or claims made by political representatives are included as part of the news coverage and do not reflect independent verification by this publication. The article is intended for informational purposes only.
