Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced that the state government has set a target of opening around 100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs every month in different parts of the national capital, to ensure that citizens may access proper primary healthcare near their homes.
She said that the government aims to ensure faster treatment for patients, and to ease the pressure on government hospitals.
The CM also informed that her government has decided to establish Ayushman Arogya Mandirs on land parcels larger than the prescribed size, so that they may be utilised in times of emergency. To review the construction and inauguration of these health centers, she held a high-level meeting at the Delhi secretariat on Friday.
The CM stated in the presence of senior officials from the Health and other departments in the meeting that while a plot size of 100 square yards is sufficient for the construction of an Arogya Mandir, she has directed officials to identify larger government-owned plots for this purpose. She emphasised that bigger centres should include large halls, where beds can be arranged during emergencies, and should also provide parking facilities.
Gupta further said that while her government is converting old primary health centres into these health centers, new buildings are also being constructed on a larger scale for the purpose. Considering the rapid pace of construction, the government has set the target of opening nearly 100 centres every month.
Various departments are simultaneously procuring medical and non-medical equipment, along with other essential supplies, to ensure smooth functioning from the day of inauguration, the CM shared.
Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the initiative, she informed that the Delhi government has already received Rs 2,400 crore from the center, ensuring that there will be no financial obstacles in the construction. The 67 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are currently operational in Delhi, as well as the upcoming new centers, offer 12 categories of comprehensive healthcare services, including mental health and palliative care for the elderly. In-house laboratory testing will now also be available at these centers.
She further added that orders have been issued for the appointment of doctors, nursing staff, pharmacists, auxiliary nurse midwives, laboratory technicians, TB management specialists (DOTS), data operators, and multi-purpose support staff for these centers.