Arogya Mandir vs Mohalla Clinics: Delhi Launches Enhanced Healthcare Facilities

Arogya Mandir vs Mohalla Clinics: Delhi Launches Enhanced Healthcare Facilities

The Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir facilities are designed to offer a broader range of services compared to the Mohalla Clinics.

RMN News Health Desk
June 2, 2025

Delhi, India – The national capital is set to see a significant upgrade in its primary healthcare infrastructure with the dedication of the first Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday, May 31, inaugurated this facility at the Tis Hazari Court premises.

This initiative by the BJP-led government, which recently completed 100 days in office, aims to introduce a total of 33 such healthcare facilities across multiple locations in the city in the first phase.

According to an NDTV report of June 1, 2025, the objective is to provide comprehensive primary healthcare to residents, sharing a similar goal with the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s ‘Mohalla Clinics’ initiative. However, the reports indicate that the two models are quite different.

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What the New Arogya Mandirs Offer:

The Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir facilities are designed to offer a broader range of services compared to the Mohalla Clinics. Key facilities planned include:

• Screening for five types of cancer.
• Pre and post care facilities for pregnant women. Notably, one of the key highlights is that pregnant women will be provided a care facility both for delivery and after that, which was not available in Mohalla Clinics. While Mohalla Clinics provided early check-ups and care, they had no delivery facility.
• 12 types of vaccinations for children. Parents can get their children vaccinated at these centres.
• Availability of 105 types of medicines, which are provided free of cost.
• A wide array of tests: 14 different types of tests done at the facility, and an additional 79 types of tests through outsourcing. All tests available at the facility (14 types) will be made available free of cost. Interestingly, patients will not have to wait long for reports, as they will be made available in just 30 minutes. The outsourcing tests (79 types) can also be done free of cost.
• Specific tests for diabetes and hypertension. Basic tests like blood sugar were available at Mohalla Clinics.
• Yoga classes held twice a week.
• Family planning counselling.
• Consultation and necessary medicines available for mental health-related problems.

The Rekha Gupta government is focusing on providing better primary health services to the urban population, paying special attention to ensure improved services. These facilities will be operational from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Understanding Mohalla Clinics:

The Mohalla Clinics, a flagship healthcare scheme of Arvind Kejriwal, were started by the former Delhi government in October 2015 with the objective of providing free and easy treatment to the general public. There are currently over 500 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi.

According to reports, Mohalla Clinics primarily offered treatment for common illnesses only, such as cold, fever, cough, and flu. Besides medical consultation, free medicines were also made available. They also provided necessary vaccinations for children and adults, along with certain basic tests. Pregnant women received early check-ups and care facilities, but there was no delivery facility. These clinics also provide information regarding the prevention of diseases.

Key Differences:

While both initiatives aim to provide accessible healthcare, there are distinctions. A major difference is the comprehensive care for pregnant women at Arogya Mandirs, including delivery and post-delivery care, which was a service gap in Mohalla Clinics.

The range of tests and specialized screenings (like cancer screening) mentioned for Arogya Mandir also appears more extensive than the “basic tests” or “certain tests” available at Mohalla Clinics. Unlike the Arogya Mandir’s broader scope, Mohalla Clinics focused mainly on treating common diseases.