In a significant move towards strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure in the national capital, the Delhi government has finalised 70 locations for the first phase of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). These centres are part of a larger plan to establish 1,139 such health facilities across the city over the next year under the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been tasked with the construction and renovation of the first 70 centres and directed to complete all work by May 31, 2025. These AAMs will be set up across various districts, including by upgrading existing Mohalla Clinics and polyclinics.
In a letter addressed to the PWD, the Delhi health department stated, “This letter is to request PWD to initiate work on the construction/renovation of 70 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the districts. The work must be initiated at the earliest under the guidance of District Magistrates and in coordination with CDMOs of concerned districts.” The directive has been issued with the approval of the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of NCT Delhi.
According to the district-wise breakdown, North Delhi will receive six AAMs, West Delhi eight, East Delhi five, South Delhi six, and South East Delhi six. Central Delhi, North West Delhi, and South West Delhi will each get eight centres, while Shahdara will have seven, and North East Delhi and New Delhi will get four each.
These Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are being developed to offer free primary healthcare services, including medical consultations, medicines, and diagnostics, to residents within their own districts. The initiative falls under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM ABHIM).
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said, “The aim of AAMs is to help the citizens of Delhi get basic healthcare facilities close to home. With the implementation of both AB-PMJAY and PM ABHIM, the state will also begin constructing 11 integrated public health labs and nine critical care hospital blocks in the coming months.”
