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15 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu
3 min
Social IssuesPolity & GovernanceEconomyNEWS

Delhi Government Boosts Primary Healthcare with 81 New Ayushman Mandirs

Delhi inaugurates 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, expanding free healthcare access.

Delhi Government Boosts Primary Healthcare with 81 New Ayushman Mandirs

Photo by The New York Public Library

The Delhi government inaugurated 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), bringing the total to 319. The Chief Minister inspected services at the Nangal Raya center, highlighting the speed and scale of the government's efforts. The aim is to establish 1,100 AAMs, functioning as primary hospitals to reduce pressure on major hospitals. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, over six lakh Delhi residents have registered, benefiting from free treatment. The income limit for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) has been raised from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh. Patients can now access OPD appointments and medical records via mobile phones, improving convenience and transparency. Other Ministers inaugurated AAMs across the city, emphasizing affordable, accessible, and quality primary health care.

Key Facts

1.

New AAMs inaugurated: 81

2.

Total AAMs: 319

3.

Target AAMs: 1,100

4.

EWS income limit raised: ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: Social Justice and Governance - Health sector

2.

Link to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

3.

Potential for questions on government schemes, health policy, and social infrastructure

Visual Insights

Expansion of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Delhi

This map shows the location of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across Delhi, highlighting the government's effort to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure.

Loading interactive map...

📍Central Delhi📍North Delhi📍South Delhi📍East Delhi📍West Delhi📍New Delhi

Key Statistics: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Delhi

Key statistics related to the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative in Delhi.

Total Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
319

Indicates the scale of primary healthcare expansion in Delhi.

Target Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
1,100

Shows the future goals for primary healthcare coverage.

Registered Under Ayushman Bharat
6 Lakh+

Demonstrates the reach of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi.

EWS Income Limit
₹5 Lakh

Defines the eligibility criteria for Economically Weaker Sections.

More Information

Background

The concept of primary healthcare in India has evolved significantly since independence. The Bhore Committee in 1946 laid the foundation for a comprehensive primary healthcare system, emphasizing preventive and promotive health services. The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, to which India was a signatory, further solidified the commitment to 'Health for All' through primary healthcare.

Subsequent national health policies have reiterated this commitment, with initiatives like the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) aiming to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. The evolution reflects a gradual shift from a curative-focused approach to a more holistic and community-based model.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on strengthening primary healthcare through initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). These centres aim to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care, closer to the community. The emphasis is on leveraging technology for improved service delivery, such as telemedicine and digital health records.

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of a robust primary healthcare system for managing public health emergencies and ensuring continuity of essential health services. Future outlook involves expanding the scope of services offered at primary healthcare centres and integrating them with other levels of the healthcare system for seamless referral and care coordination.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): 1. AAMs are established under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services. 2. AAMs aim to reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities by addressing primary healthcare needs. 3. The services offered at AAMs are exclusively curative in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. AAMs are indeed part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme and aim to strengthen primary healthcare. Statement 3 is incorrect as AAMs provide preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services in addition to curative care.

2. The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 is associated with which of the following?

  • A.Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • B.Primary Health Care
  • C.Sustainable Development Goals
  • D.Climate Change Mitigation
Show Answer

Answer: B

The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 was a landmark declaration that advocated for 'Health for All' through primary health care.

3. Consider the following statements regarding the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in India: 1. The EWS category was introduced through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act. 2. The income limit for EWS is uniformly defined across all states in India. 3. EWS reservation applies to all government jobs and educational institutions. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct. The EWS category was indeed introduced through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act. Statement 2 is incorrect as the income limit can vary across states. Statement 3 is incorrect as the application of EWS reservation can vary based on specific regulations.

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