Latest news with #ArogyaMandir
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
100 days of Rekha Gupta government: Promises, progress, and persistent problems in Delhi
WHAT'S REALISED In first 100 days, the new government in Delhi has made significant strides in fulfilling the BJP's poll promises. Through initiatives in healthcare, education, women's welfare, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, her administration claims to have laid a strong foundation for the city's development. One of the Gupta's earliest actions was approval of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi, one that provides health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family, with an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up funded by the city government. The scheme aims to enhance access to quality healthcare for residents, addressing a long-standing gap in the city's health insurance coverage. The Chief Minister presented a Rs 1 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, marking the highest allocation in the city's history. Notably, Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for clean drinking water and sanitation projects, and Rs 6,874 crore for health initiatives, including the establishment of new health and wellness centers and the expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative. On May 29, Gupta inaugurated three state-of-the-art health facilities at Lok Nayak Hospital. These include a Medical Genetics Ward, a Lactation Management Unit, and a Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing lab. The Medical Genetics Department is the first of its kind in Delhi government hospitals, focusing on diagnosing and treating rare genetic disorders. The government has prioritised women's welfare in form of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, allocating Rs 5,100 crore to provide Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women. Additionally, 50,000 CCTV cameras are being installed across Delhi to enhance women's safety. The government has also launched 100 'Atal Canteens' with a budget of Rs 100 crore to ensure food security for the poor. In line with the National Education Policy, the government has announced new CM Shri schools, with an initial Rs 100 crore allocation. Additionally, 175 new computer labs are being established, and smart classes are being installed with a Rs 100 crore budget. Free laptops will be provided to 1,200 students on passing class 10, with Rs 750 crore allocated for this initiative. A new project, 'NEEV – New Era of Entrepreneur Ecosystem and Vision,' has been launched with an allocation of Rs 20 crore to equip children with essential skills for modern economies. The administration has also focused on enhancing the Delhi infrastructure. A Rs 1,000 crore allocation has been made for improved connectivity in the National Capital Region. Additionally, Rs 3,843 crore has been allocated for road and bridge infrastructure, and Rs 696 crore for development in slum clusters. The government is also working on repairing old sewer lines and converting the Haryana-Delhi canal into a pipeline to improve water supply. The BJP government touts its plans of cleaning the Yamuna River by decentralising 40 sewage treatment plants and ensuring that only treated water reaches the river. A Rs 500 crore allocation has been made for this initiative. Additionally, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for repairing old sewer lines, and Rs 50 crore for rainwater harvesting initiatives. The government is also seeking an additional Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre to make water and sewage infrastructure world-class. The Chief Minister has emphasised transparency and public engagement through regular 'Jan Sunwai' (public grievance) sessions held both at the Chief Minister's camp office and in all districts. These sessions aim to strengthen public engagement and address citizens' concerns promptly.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta assures Mohalla Clinic staff job safety amid AAP's allegations
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured the Mohalla Clinic staff that they will not lose their jobs amid concerns over a possible overhaul of the system and AAP alleging the dismissal of thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and multi-tasking workers from the clinics. Addressing the growing apprehension among the workers, Gupta said the existing employees will be given priority under the new healthcare framework being introduced by the Delhi government. "There is no reason to worry. No one will lose their job. In fact, the existing staff will be prioritised in the new system," Gupta said, addressing fears sparked by reports of restructuring. The government plans to transition the current Mohalla Clinics into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, aimed at providing integrated primary healthcare services to citizens, officials said. They said the new model is designed to enhance infrastructure, improve service delivery and expand access to medicines and diagnostics while ensuring continuity of employment for existing workers. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the minutes of a meeting issued on May 7 indicated plans to shut down most Mohalla clinics in Delhi. The stated reason, he said, was that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs would be established in their place and wherever an Arogya Mandir is built, there would be no need for a nearby Mohalla Clinic. Responding to AAP's allegations, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said the government will not do injustice to anyone and everyone eligible will be included. "There will be a proper process to hire doctors and all eligible candidates can apply. There will be transparency in the selection as we aim to provide the best healthcare to our people. "All good doctors and healthcare workers will be with us. Everything will be done systematically," the minister told PTI. However, according to Bharadwaj, the May 7 statement read that the clinics will remain operational only until the Arogya Mandirs are constructed, after which both clinics and their personnel will be removed. "They've been trying to get a meeting fixed with the chief minister since then. But when they got no response, they were left with no choice but to come in thousands to the CM's Janata Darbar," he said. Bharadwaj accused the BJP of going back on its promise. "Before elections, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), (Union Health Minister) J P Nadda and every BJP MP and minister promised that no public welfare scheme run during the AAP government tenure -- be it free electricity, 20,000 litres of water or Mohalla clinics -- would be stopped. But the first order by the new health minister was to shut down 250 rented clinics," he said. "With the sentiment of political hatred, all the facilities are being shut down. And on top of that, the people who used to come to the clinics every day, used to get free treatment, free medicines and free tests, those facilities are also being shut down by the BJP," he added. Bharadwaj noted that many of the staffers have been working since 2017. "For more than eight years, they've worked, earning between ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 a month. Their income depends on patient turnout. Their entire family is dependent on them," he said. "Just like the BJP removed over 10,000 bus marshals, data entry operators in hospitals, yoga instructors, Delhi Assembly Research Centre (DARC) fellows and guest teachers, now they're targeting the Mohalla Clinic staff. This is shameful," he added. "In Arvind Kejriwal's government, the poor got jobs. Today, under the BJP, they are being removed without any thought about how they will run their homes and feed their families," he added. The BJP, which returned to power in Delhi in February after a gap of over 26 years, approved the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in its first cabinet meeting held shortly after Chief Minister Gupta and six of her ministers took oath on February 20. In her Budget speech, Gupta, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced that 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be set up across Delhi. According to officials, there are currently 553 Mohalla clinics in the national capital, of which 70 are proposed to be upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Delhi CM takes stock of emergency preparedness of hospitals, fire service
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday assessed the preparedness of hospitals, the fire department and other government agencies to deal with an emergency in the backdrop of the ongoing 'Operation Sindoor'. Addressing the high-level review meeting, CM Gupta instructed officials to ensure availability of ambulances and adequate storage of medicines and materials. She also issued instructions to ensure power backup in Intensive Care Units and to cancel the leave of medical and paramedical staff and prepare duty rosters. Officials of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) were directed to identify shelters and sensitise Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) for emergency deployment and coordination with the armed forces, Indian Railways and airport authorities. In a post on social media platform X, CM Gupta said, 'The Power Department was directed to be prepared in case of power outage and ensure backup power supply for essential services. The Home and Police departments were ordered to maintain operational readiness and security for uninterrupted supply of water and electricity.' She said civic agencies like PWD, MCD and NDMC were instructed to prepare a list of contractors and machinery ready for infrastructure construction in case of emergency. The DTC and DMRC were also asked to prepare route maps and fleet management for emergency planning and evacuation, she said. On Saturday, the Chief Minister held a meeting with the Medical Superintendents (MS) of various government hospitals to review the current condition, needs, and challenges of hospitals to ensure better healthcare services. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh was also present in the meeting. CM Gupta stated that the Delhi Government's foremost commitment was to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to every citizen of the national Capital. She emphasised that the government was not only strengthening hospital infrastructure but also working to bring healthcare services closer to homes. During the meeting, discussions were held on medicine shortages and supply status in hospitals, implementation preparedness for Central Government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Vay Vandana for senior citizens, and Arogya Mandir for comprehensive care, general hospital maintenance, and online systems for OPD/IPD registrations.
