Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Delhi govt has identified 964 locations for establishing Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) sub-centres under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) initiative. Of these, 255 fresh permanent facilities will replace the current mohalla clinicsthat operate in temporary structures, with equipment and medicines being transferred. The remaining include 655 sites owned by various govt bodies or PSUs; 47 pre-existing municipal corporation sub-centres; and seven functional sub-centres that would be converted into AAMs and opened in Phase I.Officials said they are yet to locate 175 additional sites.During a recent meeting on PM-ABHIM implementation with health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, discussions focused on establishing the AAMs. It was determined that nearby mohalla clinics should be withdrawn if the new AAMs can adequately serve the local population.The meeting revealed that only 11 of the 553 mohalla clinics operated by AAP govt are situated in govt buildings. PWD representatives were directed to ensure the work of identifying 70 sites for upgradation to AAMs (sub-centres and PHCs) is completed by May third week. PM-ABHIM, a govt health initiative, was launched in 2021-22 with unified funding, continuing until 2026. Subsequently, state authorities will assume control unless extended by the central govt. Delhi requires 1,139 sub-centres (AAMs), or about 15 per assembly constituency, to provide comprehensive healthcare services to its residents. Officials indicated that the health department must secure NOC from various govt bodies and PSUs, including DDA, MCD, NDMC, Gram Sabha and DUSIB, before establishing the AAM sub-centres at the new locations. These facilities aim to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care services.The meeting also mentioned the employment of mohalla clinic doctors and staff. “It was discussed that the extension and empanelment of existing doctors and paramedical staff shall continue under existing terms and conditions for one year, or until the new manpower for Ayushman Arogya Mandir is appointed to serve areas currently covered by mohalla clinics, whichever is earlier. Further, sufficient notice for de-empanelment should be served to the empanelled human resource of the mohalla clinic as per the terms and conditions of empanelment,” stated the minutes of the meeting.The meeting concluded that existing Delhi state health mission norms will apply to new AAM recruitment, with remuneration following NHM guidelines. Districts will handle recruitment under district magistrates’ supervision. The health minister directed that a separate detailed proposal be submitted in this regard.
Mayank Rawat
