Digital News Guru Health Desk:
The Delhi Government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has inaugurated 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the national capital, expanding the city’s primary healthcare network significantly. The launch took place on Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2026) in the Hari Nagar Assembly constituency as part of the ongoing effort to improve accessible and affordable health services at the neighbourhood level.
With this addition, the total number of operational Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Delhi has risen to 319 — a considerable increase from the previous 238 centres. The expansion reflects the government’s long-term vision of establishing about 1,100 such centres across all assembly constituencies in the city, ensuring that essential healthcare services are available close to every community.
What Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Offer
The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs function as neighbourhood-level primary healthcare centres, providing a range of free or low-cost medical services designed to strengthen grassroots health infrastructure. These include:
- Doctor consultations and outpatient services (OPD)
- Distribution of essential medicines
- Basic diagnostic tests and screenings
- Maternal and child healthcare
- Immunisation support
- Screening for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension
- Nutrition and lifestyle counselling
Such services are expected to reduce pressure on larger hospitals by addressing common health needs locally and early.
Government’s Vision & Statements
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasised that the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs represent a bold step toward strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure in Delhi. She said the centres are not just clinics but accessible health facilities intended to provide dignified care near residents’ homes. The vision behind the expansion is to ensure timely and affordable care for women, senior citizens, children, and low-income families without the need to travel long distances.
Officials also highlighted that these centres would help tackle common health issues more efficiently, prevent escalation of diseases, and reduce overcrowding at major city hospitals that currently handle a high influx of patients for basic health needs.
Public Health Impact and Outreach
The expansion of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs comes alongside other health initiatives in the National Capital Territory, including:
- Issuance of approximately 6.9 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cards, enabling a broad base of residents to access cashless secondary and tertiary care at empanelled hospitals.
- Enhanced digital health record systems and mobile-friendly OPD appointment services aimed at making healthcare delivery more transparent and convenient for patients.
- Integration of services under both Ayushman Bharat—Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat-Vaya Vandana Yojana (AB-VVY) to support citizens across age and income groups.
The government has also reported that a mix of 138 private hospitals, 41 Delhi government hospitals, and 10 central government hospitals are empanelled under these schemes to provide citizens with cashless treatment options, ensuring that even financially vulnerable families can receive essential care without cost barriers.
Strategic Goals and Future Plans
Health officials reiterated that the addition of 81 new Arogya Mandirs is part of a phased rollout plan aimed at creating at least 15 centres in every assembly constituency — an approach designed to create equitable healthcare distribution across the city’s diverse population. Once the target of 1,100 centres is achieved, Delhi’s network of primary health facilities will be among the most extensive in urban India.
In addition to medical services, some centres may also offer lifestyle and preventive health programmes such as yoga and nutrition counselling, particularly for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and weight management. This holistic focus aligns with broader national health priorities under the Ayushman Bharat umbrella.
Community & Healthcare Benefits
The augmented network of Arogya Mandirs is expected to:
- Reduce the burden on tertiary care institutions by addressing healthcare needs early at the neighbourhood level.
- Shorten travel distances and wait times for residents seeking basic medical attention.
- Provide preventive care and health education, improving overall community health outcomes.
- Support vulnerable populations, including low-income families, women, the elderly, and children.
Conclusion
The inauguration of 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Delhi signifies an important expansion of accessible primary healthcare in the capital, strengthening the healthcare safety net for thousands of residents. By bringing essential medical services closer to communities and integrating them under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the Delhi Government aims for a more inclusive, preventive, and equitable health system — one that reduces strain on major hospitals and makes quality care attainable for all.
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