Delhi govt starts work to set up 300 Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs

The Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated the process of transforming 300 existing Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics into Urban Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs (UAAMs), officials confirmed on Monday.

The move comes as part of the rollout of the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the city, aimed at providing accessible and affordable healthcare. The makeover of the clinics involves fresh plastering, painting, waterproofing, and other structural repairs, with tenders worth Rs 3.9 crore already floated.

Under the plan, several existing AAMC facilities will be upgraded and rebranded as UAAMs. Notably, images of former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former health minister Satyendar Jain, currently displayed in many of the clinics, will be removed.

Locations have been identified across multiple districts. In Southeast Delhi, the clinics will be set up in areas such as Lajpat Nagar-1, Jangpura Extension, Andrews Ganj, and Sarai Kale Khan. In South Delhi, new centres will come up in Satbari Village, Lado Sarai, and Dakshinpuri, among others.

Central Delhi will see 23 existing clinics converted into UAAMs at key locations including Aram Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Hanuman Mandir on Ring Road, and ISBT Kashmere Gate. In West Delhi, areas like Kirti Nagar’s Kamla Nehru Park, Punjabi Bagh’s Shivanand Basti, Baljeet Nagar’s Ambedkar Park, and Hari Nagar’s Vikrant Enclave are on the list. New Delhi district locations include Mayapuri and West Sagarpur.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda recently reiterated the Centre’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare to the underprivileged, describing it as a top priority.

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The initiative follows a formal agreement signed on April 10 between the Delhi Health Department and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to government projections, the Ayushman Bharat scheme could benefit nearly 36 lakh residents in the city.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also announced a budget of Rs 1,749 crore for the establishment of 1,139 Urban Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs across the capital.

(With inputs from PTI)