NEW DELHI, 7 March (H.S.): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government established Mohalla Clinics in October 2015, with 533 currently operating in Delhi. Health Minister Pankaj Singh has ordered the closure of 250 clinics as part of a 100-day plan to revamp health infrastructure in the city, affecting 533 clinics as of August 23, 2023.

While talking to the media, the health minister said, “Mohalla clinics fraud ka adda hai (Delhi mohalla clinics only exist for fraud). Around 250 mohalla clinics exist only on paper and are on rented land, with rent expenses being misused. An order has been passed to shut such clinics with immediate effect.

The minister said, “We are also planning on renaming mohalla clinics as ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ and will enhance the health care services they provide.” No one from AAP wanted to respond to requests for comment on this issue. The health minister also said, “The Delhi government will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre to implement the scheme. Post March 8, people can fill out forms for enrollment in Ayushman Bharat.

Hindusthan Samachar / Meenakshi Bhattacharya