Mohalla Clinics open, but rumours of their closure dent footfall

Shanno Begum finds Mohalla Clinic open despite rumors of closure under BJP government, highlighting changes in healthcare centers.

Shanno Begum, 60, had stopped visiting the Mohalla Clinic near her home in east Delhi since February after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Delhi and decided to convert the Aam Aadmi Party’s flagship primary healthcare centres into Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (U-AAMs). With rebranding in process, she believed rumours that the centres would be closed by the new BJP government.

Last week, Ms. Begum thought of checking the Mohalla Clinic and was surprised to find it open and functional. “People are saying that Mohalla Clinics have shut down. That’s why I didn’t come for the past few weeks,” said Ms. Begum, who is a diabetic patient and has been visiting the clinic for six years.

The doctor at the clinic, who did not wish to be named, said, “Right now, nothing is shutting; just the name will change. Even if we were to shut, we would inform the patients.”

The Mohalla Clinics came under the scanner after a Comptroller and Auditor General report tabled in the Assembly last month revealed shortcomings in their functioning.

According to the Health Department, 1,139 U-AAMs will be set up, and the existing 553 Mohalla Clinics will be upgraded.

However, those functioning on rented properties will be closed. 

The Hindu visited several Mohalla Clinics and found them open and functional. At the clinics, the hoardings of AAP or its national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, have either been removed or covered up.