The Union Health Ministry is set to reassess the status of Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics, with potential plans to revamp them into ‘Arogya Mandirs’, following the formation of the new government. The move comes amid allegations of corruption in the functioning of these clinics, prompting the ministry to seek a detailed report from the newly appointed Health Minister.
According to sources cited in an ANI report, the ministry is actively considering a transformation of Delhi’s widely publicised Mohalla Clinics, which were introduced as a flagship healthcare initiative by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. However, concerns over financial irregularities and operational lapses have raised red flags, leading to calls for stricter oversight.
“The Union Health Ministry will discuss the plans and explore the best possible makeover of Mohalla Clinics as Arogya Mandirs in Delhi. Additionally, it will seek a report from the new Health Minister on corruption allegations in these clinics,” the sources revealed.
The review marks a significant policy shift, as the Union government moves towards a centralised healthcare model that aligns with national schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Another major agenda under the Union Health Ministry’s new approach is the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY scheme in Delhi, which had previously been stalled under the AAP government. The scheme offers free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year for economically weaker sections and vulnerable families.
“A major step will be the implementation of the AB-PMJAY scheme in Delhi, under which 51 lakh people are expected to receive Ayushman cards,” the sources stated.
The scheme’s expansion will also extend to senior citizens aged 70 and above, ensuring greater healthcare access for the elderly population.
The AAP-led Delhi government had earlier faced scrutiny from the Delhi High Court for its reluctance to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme, despite its nationwide rollout. The legal challenge stemmed from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by all seven BJP Members of Parliament (MPs) from Delhi, questioning the state government’s delay in extending the benefits to Delhi residents.
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, the party is now expected to move swiftly in fulfilling its electoral promises, including the full-scale implementation of AB-PMJAY and the transformation of Mohalla Clinics.
The proposed transition from Mohalla Clinics to Arogya Mandirs signals a broader realignment in Delhi’s healthcare policies, potentially replacing AAP’s decentralised model with a more centrally monitored structure.
With corruption allegations under investigation and a renewed push for Ayushman Bharat, healthcare delivery in the national capital is poised for a significant transformation under the new administration.
