Delhi Launches Ayushman Vans, Speeds Up Arogya Mandirs Rollout

Health Minister Pankaj Singh stated that nearly 4 lakh people in Delhi have been registered under the scheme, including more than 2 lakh senior citizens above the age of 70.

The Delhi government recently flagged off Ayushman Bharat registration vans at Vigyan Bhawan, aiming to boost healthcare access in the capital. Alongside, it also appointed over 1,300 new nursing officers to strengthen the city's medical workforce.

The launch event was attended by the BJP president and Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Health Minister Pankaj Singh, and other senior leaders.

Chief Minister Gupta, addressing the gathering, said, "In the past, Delhi's healthcare was in such a poor state that there were only 0.42 hospital beds available per 1,000 people.”

“In 38 hospitals, there were only six MRI machines and 12 CT scan machines. Patients were frequently turned away due to a shortage of medicines,” she added.

She also alleged corruption under the Mohalla Clinics initiative, stating, “There was corruption in medicine procurement and hospital construction, 22 hospitals were announced but never completed.”

Focusing on Ayushman Bharat, Gupta highlighted the delay in constructing Arogya Mandirs, despite INR 1,700 Cr being allocated by the central government over the past five years.

“Now, it is my responsibility to ensure that all 1,150 Arogya Mandirs are completed in the remaining months,” Gupta declared.

She mentioned that 34 Arogya Mandirs have already been inaugurated, with many more to follow soon. “We plan to add 100 Arogya Mandirs every month and aim to complete all 1,150 by March next year,” she said.

Health Minister Pankaj Singh, in his remarks, underscored the progress under Ayushman Bharat, stating that nearly 4 lakh people in Delhi have been registered under the scheme, including more than 2 lakh senior citizens above the age of 70. He added that 2,258 patients have already availed free treatment under the initiative.

Union Health Minister Nadda hailed the occasion as historic and lauded the rollout of Arogya Mandirs and Ayushman Bharat vans.

“Now, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s leadership, it is our responsibility to ensure this amount is fully utilized in the next eight months to complete the Ayushman Mandirs,” Nadda said.

He also noted that since September 2017, the Modi government has sanctioned free treatment of up to INR 5 lakh for around 40 lakh residents of Delhi, particularly those from slum areas and vulnerable groups.

To boost Ayushman Card registrations, 70 specially designed IEC vans have been deployed, one for each Assembly Constituency, for a month-long outreach campaign targeting eligible low-income families and senior citizens.

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