Capital gets boost in primary healthcare with 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
In a major push to strengthen primary healthcare in the national capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at Tis Hazari and Delhi Secretariat.
Simultaneously, the Delhi Government launched 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 17 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras across various parts of the city.
Speaking at the launch event, the CM emphasised that this initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and represents a transformative shift in the Capital’s healthcare infrastructure. As part of the Ayushman Bharat Mission, the government plans to establish 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs — 15 in each Assembly constituency — to provide free basic healthcare services under the mission’s motto, “Swasth Delhi, Sashakt Delhi”.
“These centres are a ray of hope for Delhi’s citizens. Unlike the previous government’s mohalla clinics, which were limited and plagued with irregularities, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will offer 12 comprehensive service packages, including vaccinations, maternal care, mental health services, geriatric care and disease management,” the CM stated.
She alleged that many mohalla clinics were built on roadside drains, used untrained staff and became breeding grounds for corruption and anti-social activities.
Highlighting the Central Government’s support, she said Rs 2,400 crore allocated to Delhi’s health sector had remained unused for five years. “Our government is now using these funds to build permanent, well-equipped healthcare institutions with qualified doctors, lab technicians and support staff,” she added.
The CM also announced that wherever Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are established, mohalla clinics would be shut down to pave the way for a more reliable and modern health system. The aim is to ensure three hospital beds per 1,000 people and no denial of treatment to any resident of Delhi.
The newly inaugurated Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will offer lab testing, preventive care, family planning services, vaccinations and free essential medicines. Additionally, the CM launched 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras that will provide affordable generic medicines, surgical items and medical equipment at 50 per cent to 80 per cent lower rates under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
The CM revealed that these kendras, deliberately ignored by the previous government due to political reasons, were now being established in every government hospital.
At Babar Road, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma inaugurated a flagship Ayushman Arogya Mandir, calling the initiative “a game-changer in Delhi’s health infrastructure”. In Sarojini Nagar, Swati Singh Verma, wife of Parvesh Verma, dedicated another mandir to the public, reaffirming the government’s commitment to public service.
Addressing a gathering in Vikas Nagar, Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh inaugurated an Ayushman Arogya Mandir equipped with a pathology lab, pre-natal care facilities and patient-friendly amenities. He termed the launch of 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras within just 100 days as “a historic achievement”.
Meanwhile, minister Ravinder Indraj Singh inaugurated a centre in JJ Colony, Bawana, stating that these mandirs would deliver quality healthcare with a sense of public service and community engagement.
Slamming the previous administration, minister Kapil Mishra said, “This work should have started five years ago. The funds were there, but the Kejriwal government’s ‘loot model’ failed Delhi. Under CM Rekha Gupta’s leadership, we aim to complete all 1,139 centres in the next eight months.”
Currently, 83 hospitals — 59 private and 24 government — in Delhi are empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana and Vaya Vandana Yojana, which offer eligible citizens free treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh. If necessary, patients can also avail services at empanelled hospitals outside Delhi.
Delhi