In a major push to strengthen public healthcare services, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced the opening of 200 new Aam Aadmi clinics across the state, raising the total number to 1,081.
The chief minister, while speaking at a function to mark the launch of a WhatsApp Chatbot for 881 existing Aam Aadmi Clinics, hailed the day as a historic milestone in Punjab’s healthcare journey.
He said the integration of clinics with WhatsApp would greatly benefit patients in today’s digital age. These clinics currently serve around 70,000 people every day.
“With approximately 90% of Punjabis owning smartphones, we can now connect directly with citizens through WhatsApp,” Mann said. “Patients will receive health-related information, doctor’s prescription slips, diagnostic test reports, and reminders for follow-up consultations—all through the chatbot.”
He added that WhatsApp updates will also help elderly patients with chronic conditions, pregnant women, and newborns, reducing the need to maintain physical documents. Patients can even share their reports with family members or consult other doctors digitally.
Mann further revealed that the Health Department will now maintain a digital database of patients, treatments, and diagnoses. Reiterating the government’s commitment to universal healthcare, he said Punjab is also the first state in the country to implement the Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana, offering free medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family.
Criticising past governments, the Chief Minister lamented that their manifestos had little focus on the health sector.
“In villages, people avoided treatment due to high costs and fear of burdening their families with debt. It is the government’s duty to provide quality healthcare free of cost, and we are fulfilling this responsibility sincerely,” he said.
Mann also shared that Punjab is on track to become a healthcare hub, with four new medical colleges sanctioned in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, and Nawanshahr.
Highlighting other welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister noted that 90% of households in Punjab now receive zero electricity bills, giving substantial financial relief. He said rising public trust in government institutions is visible as many children are shifting from private schools to state-run Schools of Eminence.
He praised the Road Safety Force (RSF) as a “life-saving force,” noting that it has led to a 48% reduction in road accident deaths. The RSF includes specially trained personnel—men and women—and is equipped with 144 modern vehicles. Its performance has been lauded by other states and the Union Government, he added.