News Brief
Delhi Government Shuts Down 250 Mohalla Clinics, Citing Financial Fraud, Fake Operations, And Unnecessary Rental Expenses
Delhi Government to shut down around 250 Mohalla Clinics
The Delhi government has announced the closure of around 250 mohalla clinics, citing irregularities and financial mismanagement. Health Minister Pankaj Singh, on Thursday (6 March), stated that these clinics were operating only on paper, incurring unnecessary rental expenses without providing actual medical services, as reported by The Indian Exrpess.
Mohalla Clinics Under Scrutiny
Labeling the initiative a "fraud," the minister declared that clinics running from rented accommodations would be shut down, emphasising a shift toward utilising government-owned land for future healthcare facilities.
Singh also outlined the government’s plan to convert one mohalla clinic per district into a ‘Jan Arogya Mandir’ within the next month, as part of a broader restructuring of Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme Rollout in Delhi
In a significant policy move, Singh announced that Delhi will soon commence registrations for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, starting after 8 March.
The scheme, which was approved by the Delhi Cabinet on 20 February, is a step toward expanding healthcare access to economically weaker sections of society.
Under the initiative:
6.54 lakh families in Delhi, identified as the most economically vulnerable, will receive insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh under the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government is expected to be signed soon for its implementation.
Additional Healthcare Initiatives
Apart from shutting down non-functional clinics, the Delhi government is implementing a series of reforms, including:
Launching a pilot project to introduce new healthcare models in the city.
Deploying 10 dental health vans in rural areas to improve access to oral healthcare.
Strengthening monitoring mechanisms for hospital bed allotments and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) quotas, with two nodal officers appointed to oversee transparency.
Addressing the high rate of out-of-hospital childbirths—which currently stands at 20 per cent—by promoting institutional deliveries.
Reaffirming his commitment to overhauling the city’s healthcare system, Singh warned that strict action would be taken against those found guilty of malpractice.
