Land, funding and inter-department woes: BJP govt's Aarogya Mandirs face hiccups
After the BJP came to power in Delhi in February, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that over 1,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs would be inaugurated across the city by March 2026, under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
However, much like the AAP government's struggles with setting up mohalla clinics, the new project is running into familiar obstacles.
One, several civic bodies and departments are yet to issue No-Objection Certificates (NoCs) for sites identified earlier this year to set up the clinics. Other challenges have also cropped up: geographical suitability, funding constraints and inter-department issues.
According to officials, 925 sites under various departments and corporations — Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi government, Gram Sabha, New Delhi Municipal Council and others — were originally proposed for setting up Arogya Mandirs.
Of these, data showed, NoCs have been given only to 224 sites while 110 locations have been found non-feasible.
Of the total sites identified, the highest, 429, were under MCD — and only 98 have got NOCs. As for the remaining locations, data shows, 108 locations were found 'not pertaining' to the MCD while 61 sites were not identified. Further, the civic body has not given NOCs to 162 sites.
'Discrepancies have been observed between the total number of sites identified, NOCs obtained and feasibility… Apart from this, there are land issues… while ensuring optimal site selection as per Indian Public Health Standards to avoid proximity to other already existing health facilities,' said a senior official.
Officials said they are also facing funding issues in some places as there is cap of Rs 25 lakh per centre for upgradation, which prevents their development.
Officials further said they are facing inter-department issues. 'All departments, excluding MCD, have their own engineering wings and have declined to undertake upgradation work through their internal units,' said an official.
Following the challenges, officials said, the Health Department proposed 334 new sites — 133 under MCD, 104 under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, 31 under DDA, 60 under DoE and 7 at already existing MCD allopathic centres.
Health Minister Pankaj Singh didn't respond to queries seeking comment.
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Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Indian Express
Land, funding and inter-department woes: BJP govt's Aarogya Mandirs face hiccups
The government may have changed, but challenges in expanding Delhi's health infrastructure seem to persist. After the BJP came to power in Delhi in February, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that over 1,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs would be inaugurated across the city by March 2026, under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. However, much like the AAP government's struggles with setting up mohalla clinics, the new project is running into familiar obstacles. One, several civic bodies and departments are yet to issue No-Objection Certificates (NoCs) for sites identified earlier this year to set up the clinics. Other challenges have also cropped up: geographical suitability, funding constraints and inter-department issues. According to officials, 925 sites under various departments and corporations — Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi government, Gram Sabha, New Delhi Municipal Council and others — were originally proposed for setting up Arogya Mandirs. Of these, data showed, NoCs have been given only to 224 sites while 110 locations have been found non-feasible. Of the total sites identified, the highest, 429, were under MCD — and only 98 have got NOCs. As for the remaining locations, data shows, 108 locations were found 'not pertaining' to the MCD while 61 sites were not identified. Further, the civic body has not given NOCs to 162 sites. 'Discrepancies have been observed between the total number of sites identified, NOCs obtained and feasibility… Apart from this, there are land issues… while ensuring optimal site selection as per Indian Public Health Standards to avoid proximity to other already existing health facilities,' said a senior official. Officials said they are also facing funding issues in some places as there is cap of Rs 25 lakh per centre for upgradation, which prevents their development. Officials further said they are facing inter-department issues. 'All departments, excluding MCD, have their own engineering wings and have declined to undertake upgradation work through their internal units,' said an official. Following the challenges, officials said, the Health Department proposed 334 new sites — 133 under MCD, 104 under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, 31 under DDA, 60 under DoE and 7 at already existing MCD allopathic centres. Health Minister Pankaj Singh didn't respond to queries seeking comment.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Time of India
Govt to set up 1.1k Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 166 ready
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
169 MCD healthcare centres to be turned into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi is working on a plan to revamp 169 healthcare centres into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). To ensure that the corporation's poor financial situation does not hinder the opening of these centres, Delhi govt will provide Rs 25 lakh per centre. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh per centre will be allocated for furniture purchases and Rs 12 lakh annually for medicines, MCD officials said. Delhi govt aims to open 1,139 AAMs in Delhi and establish them at sites with basic infrastructure and other facilities in place. These centres aim to reduce pressure on hospitals, allowing people to receive timely treatment. "We referred our dispensaries, maternity and child welfare centres, and public health centres (PHCs) to be revamped as AAMs. Permissions have already been obtained to upgrade 51 sub-centres or dispensaries, 37 PHCs and 81 maternity and child welfare centres. While work has started at some sites, we are expecting 11 PHCs to open for the general public in the next 15-20 days as AAMs," said an official. A PHC caters to a population of 50,000 people, while a maternity and child welfare centre and a dispensary each cater to a population of around 10,000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best SIP Plans for NRIs in Spain – Get ₹2L Monthly Pension | Invest ₹18K PB Learn More Undo "We have also offered the school sites and community halls which are rarely utilised to be developed as such centres. These were based on the recommendation of the engineering department," said the official. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi The sites were approved by govt after ground inspections. The primary condition for selecting a centre as an AAM is that the building must be permanent and have at least five rooms, a waiting area, lab facility, a doctor, nurse and medical attendants. No AAM will be established in a porta cabin to ensure the primary healthcare system is strengthened on a permanent basis. "At most centres, doctors have already been appointed. But at other places where there are no doctors, we have requested Delhi govt to make arrangements," said the official. The official further stated that these health centres would have at least 14 general diagnostic facilities and 150 specialised test facilities provided, and testing would be done through outsourced labs. The staff present will collect samples from patients as needed. These samples will be sent to outsourced labs for testing, and the reports will be provided to patients. The civic body operates eight major hospitals like Hindu Rao, Balak Ram and Swami Dayanand, along with 90 maternal and child welfare centres, 54 dispensaries, 16 maternity homes, 11 polyclinics, 31 primary healthcare centres and other units. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
