MCD Sites Outside Jurisdiction, Unidentified Locations Stall AAM Progress
New Delhi: A review of 429 sites identified for Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) sub-centres under the PM-ABHIM scheme revealed significant challenges in implementation at some of the sites.
Of these
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
(MCD) locations, 100 fall outside MCD jurisdiction, 61 remain unidentified, with the rest distributed across various MCD departments.
These issues came to light during a review meeting held on May 22, chaired by Delhi's Health and Family Welfare secretary. The meeting focused on evaluating the status of building upgrades across land-owning agencies slated for AAM development. MCD officials were directed to submit no-objection certificates (NOCs) and provisional estimates for sites under MCD (health) by May 31, 2025.
The initial plan designated 910 locations across govt bodies and PSUs for AAM establishments. This included 429 MCD sites, 91 Delhi govt locations, 109 DDA sites, 39 DJB locations, 56 DOE sites, 95 DUSIB locations, 42 Gram Sabha sites, 10 NDMC locations, 7 BVK sites, and 32 from other organisations.
DJB officials reported that several of their 39 allotted sites were located within water treatment facilities, rendering them unsuitable for health centres.
NDMC confirmed that site inspections are ongoing, while DDA officials noted that site assessments are still underway. DDA requested detailed AAM establishment guidelines and committed to submitting feasibility reports by May 26, 2025.
DUSIB representatives stated that NOCs had been provided for seven sites. However, new authorisations specifically for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were needed, as earlier NOCs had been issued under the now-repurposed Mohalla Clinic framework.
Both MCD and NDMC confirmed the absence of in-house laboratory facilities, and proposed the use of outsourced lab services through Delhi govt health infrastructure.
Meanwhile, officials from MCD and NDMC received instructions to complete the construction of 33 AAM by May 29, prior to the formal inauguration set for May 31, which marks the conclusion of the govt's 100-day agenda. The distribution of these 33 centres includes 20 facilities being established in Public Works Department (PWD) structures, including one at the Delhi Secretariat.
Additionally, 11 centres will operate from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) locations, while two will be situated in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) buildings.
Health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced that the govt aims to establish at least 200 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the next two months. Each AAM will provide 12 comprehensive service packages, including maternal and child healthcare, vaccinations, mental health services, elderly care, and treatment for communicable diseases.
Officials added that the goal is to set up around 15 AAMs in every assembly constituency to ensure accessible, community-based healthcare for all Delhi residents.
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