Mohalla clinics under BJP scanner, party may rename AAP project

The new BJP government in Delhi will most likely investigate allegations of corruption in the functioning of Mohalla clinics set up by the previous Aam Aadmi Party government and may probably give it a new name.

According to party sources, the Mohalla clinics could be renamed as “Ayushman Arogya Mandir” once the Ayushman Bharat scheme is implemented in the national capital.

The Ayushman Arogya Mandir is a programme that aims to provide comprehensive healthcare services. It includes free primary healthcare and health insurance coverage.

On the investigation of corruption at clinics, party sources said that a report could be prepared within 15 days after the formation of the government.

Notably, while launching its manifesto for the Assembly elections, the party had announced to form Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe major cases of corruption in DTC, Mohalla clinics, classrooms and excise policies, stating that its government will have a “zero-tolerance approach” towards corrupt practices.

BJP MLA Vijender Gupta also wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena urging him to immediately implement the PM-ABHIM and the HIMS schemes in Delhi to help revive the city’s struggling public healthcare system.

In the letter, Gupta said implementing the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and the Health Information Management System (HIMS) would significantly enhance healthcare services.

Under PM-ABHIM, launched in 2021, the Centre allocated Rs 2,406 crore to Delhi for the establishment of 1,139 urban health and wellness centres, 11 district-integrated public health laboratories and nine critical care blocks, he said.

The BJP leader who was re-elected from the Rohini assembly seat, slammed the outgoing AAP government, alleging that Delhi’s healthcare system collapsed due to its misgovernance. “Instead of improving hospitals, the (Arvind) Kejriwal government focused solely on misleading publicity.”

He claimed that with the BJP set to assume office in Delhi, implementing these schemes would be a top priority. Calling for the implementation of HIMS, Gupta said, “The Central Government has already successfully introduced HIMS in major hospitals, including Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and 738 other healthcare centres.”