AAP leader Jain opposes closure of 250 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi
AAP leader and former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday condemned the BJP government’s decision to shut down 250 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi, calling
it an unjust move against the city’s healthcare infrastructure.
He said the move comes just weeks after former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had warned that the BJP would dismantle key welfare schemes, if it came to power.
“The AAP government had set up Mohalla Clinics across the city to serve the people, offering free healthcare services. Each clinic has a doctor, provides free medicines, and offers 365 types of diagnostic tests,” Jain stated.
Jain lashed out at the BJP for what he called a direct attack on Delhi’s public healthcare system.
Reacting to the decision, senior AAP leader and former CM Atishi wrote on X, “Before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal had warned that if the BJP wins, then Mohalla Clinics, schools, free electricity, water and bus travel will all be stopped. Modi claimed that nothing will be stopped. Today, Arvind Kejriwal’s words came true. The BJP government is going to shut down Mohalla Clinics. This is just the beginning.”
Jain said they were strategically placed in the neighbourhoods to ensure accessibility. “These clinics were set up so that people do not have to travel long distances and could receive treatment for minor ailments close to their homes,” he said.
AAP leaders also questioned the BJP’s rationale behind shutting down these clinics. “If these 250 clinics supposedly exist only on paper and not on the ground, why do they need to be shut down?” Jain asked.
He further argued that instead of shutting them down, the BJP should be expanding healthcare infrastructure in the city.
“If AAP was able to build 550 Mohalla Clinics, the BJP should aim to establish at least 1,000 within a couple of months,” he said.
He also criticised the BJP for renaming Mohalla Clinics as ‘Arogya Mandirs’ while simultaneously closing them.
“On one hand, they rename the clinics, while on the other, they shut them down. This is pure injustice to the people of Delhi,” Jain added.
