New Delhi, July 3 — In a significant shift in healthcare strategy, the Delhi government is planning to convert Mohalla Clinics operating from portable cabins into sub-centres of Arogya Mandirs, aligning the capital’s health services with the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (AB-HIM).
This move follows the Delhi government’s April decision to shut down 250 Mohalla Clinics that were functioning out of rented premises across the city. These facilities will be replaced with Arogya Mandirs, which are part of a broader national initiative to enhance primary healthcare delivery.
Why the Change?
The decision is rooted in cost and infrastructure concerns, as officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) noted that relocating portable cabin-based Mohalla Clinics would entail significant expenses. Instead, integrating them as sub-centres under Arogya Mandirs is seen as a more sustainable and strategic alternative, offering continuity of primary healthcare services in nearby areas.
“There is a proposal to turn portable Mohalla Clinics into sub-centres of Arogya Mandirs, where basic primary healthcare services will be provided,” said a government official, as quoted by The New Indian Express.
Staff Training and Expanded Services
Training for designated staff at these sub-centres is scheduled to begin next month. A major upgrade under the Arogya Mandir model will be the introduction of cancer screening services. Medical officers at the centres have been asked to submit staff rosters, and those selected will receive specialized training in cancer screening at government hospitals.
Not All Clinics Can Be Converted
Despite the broader goal, officials acknowledge that not all Mohalla Clinics can be converted into Arogya Mandirs due to space, cost, and infrastructure limitations. The strategy will be applied selectively, with emphasis on integrating services wherever feasible.
Background: Mohalla Clinics to Arogya Mandirs
The Mohalla Clinics initiative, launched in 2015, aimed to bring essential healthcare services to Delhi’s neighborhoods. However, Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh recently announced sweeping reforms, vowing “visible changes within 100 days” in Delhi’s healthcare system. The integration with the Ayushman Bharat scheme, whose registration began in March, is seen as part of a broader modernization drive.
This follows the inauguration of 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs earlier this year and signals a decentralized, digitally supported primary healthcare model being implemented across India.
As Delhi transitions from Mohalla Clinics to Arogya Mandirs, health officials are aiming to maintain accessibility while enhancing diagnostic and preventive care, aligning with national healthcare goals.
