Punjab Newsline | Hoshiarpur
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday dedicated 154 new Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) to the people, taking the total number of such facilities across the state to 1,244. Addressing a public gathering at village Harkhowal in Chabbewal, the Chief Minister said the government was focused on providing quality healthcare, education and employment rather than engaging in the politics of slogans.
Mann said the Aam Aadmi Clinics had recorded 6.48 crore outpatient department (OPD) visits, reflecting the growing reliance on government healthcare facilities. He added that the clinics provide 107 medicines and 47 types of diagnostic tests free of cost, helping people access essential medical services without financial hardship.
Of the 154 newly inaugurated clinics, 36 are in Amritsar, 26 in Patiala, 17 in Ludhiana, 12 in Gurdaspur, 11 in Jalandhar and 10 in SAS Nagar (Mohali), with the remaining facilities distributed across other parts of Punjab.
Highlighting the response to the initiative, the Chief Minister said around one lakh people visit Aam Aadmi Clinics every day. He stated that the existing 1,090 clinics had recorded 6.48 crore OPD visits, including 1.98 crore patients suffering from specific illnesses. The government also highlighted the provision of free diagnostic tests, providing financial relief to patients and their families.
Speaking about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Mann said the scheme was introduced to ensure that financial constraints did not prevent people from accessing medical treatment. According to the figures shared by the government, health cards have been issued to 54.20 lakh families, making them eligible for cashless medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh per family. The scheme has already benefited lakhs of patients, the Chief Minister said.
Mann also emphasised the government's efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce, stating that 5,388 people had been recruited in the Health Department. The recruitment drive includes doctors, nurses, specialists and other healthcare personnel to improve staffing and service delivery at public health institutions.
Taking a swipe at traditional political parties, the Chief Minister alleged that previous governments had failed to prioritise public welfare. He said his government's objective was to provide tangible benefits in healthcare, education and employment instead of asking people to raise slogans in favour of or against political parties.
Mann also cautioned that a change in government could put welfare initiatives, including free bus travel for women and monthly financial assistance schemes, at risk. He asserted that his government remained committed to public welfare and would continue working to improve essential services.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister reiterated that the inauguration of the 154 clinics had taken the state's total to 1,244. He said patients had benefited from free medicines and diagnostic tests on more than 6.5 crore occasions and asserted that the government's priority was to ensure quality healthcare, education and employment for every citizen.
Cabinet Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Chabbewal MLA Ishaan Chabbewal and other dignitaries were present at the event.
Expanding Primary Healthcare
The expansion of the Aam Aadmi Clinic network is aimed at bringing primary healthcare services closer to residents, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for routine consultations and basic diagnostic services. The government says free medicines and tests at these facilities are intended to ease the financial burden on families.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure
Alongside expanding clinic facilities, the Punjab Government has highlighted recruitment in the Health Department as part of its efforts to improve public healthcare delivery. The appointments include 1,458 Medical Officers, 271 Specialist Doctors, 1,079 nurses and 1,352 Multipurpose Health Workers since 2022, according to figures provided by the government.
The government maintains that the expansion of Aam Aadmi Clinics, the provision of free medicines and diagnostic tests, and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna form part of its broader effort to make healthcare more accessible and affordable across Punjab.
