Mohalla Clinics likely to become sub‑centres of Arogya Mandirs in Delhi

The Delhi government is planning to integrate its Mohalla Clinics with the newly launched Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) by converting them into sub-centres under the central government's Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

This move comes after nearly 250 rented Mohalla Clinics were closed earlier this year in areas where Arogya Mandirs were inaugurated.

Officials have now proposed retaining these clinics as smaller health nodes, particularly in locations where building new infrastructure is not feasible.

As part of this transition, the government is training existing Mohalla Clinic staff to align with the service standards of Arogya Mandirs.

These clinics will continue to offer outpatient care, and may also be involved in government-led cancer screening initiatives. Coordination with nearby Arogya Mandirs and government hospitals will ensure continuity of care.

Of the 964 sub-centres proposed under PM-ABHIM in Delhi, 255 are being built afresh while the rest involve upgrading existing infrastructure such as municipal dispensaries and PWD buildings.

The Arogya Mandirs aim to provide more extensive primary healthcare services compared to the Mohalla Clinics.

Unlike Mohalla Clinics, which function from porta cabins with limited testing capabilities, Arogya Mandirs are being set up in permanent buildings with MBBS doctors, in-house diagnostic labs, and a broader range of services including immunization, maternal and child healthcare, mental health support, and non-communicable disease management. Each centre will provide 105 types of medicines and 14 common diagnostic tests.

The Delhi government has assured that current Mohalla Clinic staff will be given priority during recruitment for Arogya Mandirs. While many of them work on temporary contracts, they will be retained during the transition period until new staff are appointed as per the norms under the National Health Mission.

Meanwhile, some staff have raised concerns over delayed payments and job security. A few political leaders have also criticised the shift, alleging it amounts to rebranding the Mohalla Clinics model.

Government officials, however, clarified that the transition is aimed at standardising primary healthcare delivery under a single, upgraded system.

With 33 Arogya Mandirs already operational and plans for over 1,100 centres across the capital, the health department is moving toward integrating all local health services under the PM-ABHIM framework by 2026.