Leave behind party politics: Kejriwal on Mohalla clinics

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to bring the flagship project of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on building up Mohallah clinics, above the politics, the CM urged that everybody should leave behind party politics in assisting Mohalla clinics and any help in setting them up was an "act of virtue".

"Poor people are treated in the Mohalla clinics. Any help towards setting up these clinics is an act of virtue. Everybody should come forward for the cause leaving behind party politics," the CM said.

Kejriwal's statement came after the East Delhi Municipal Corporation reportedly denied land to the government for the expansion of a Mohalla clinic. The CM has personally requested the civic agency to extend help in this case. The sources in the government said that the health department faces various problems in getting lands from the municipalities and the Delhi Development Authority. The officials also asserted that to avoid these controversies the department's prime focus is the government land.

After the clearance of the Mohalla clinic files by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, the CM targeted more clinics in the Capital. He asked the health department led by Satyendar Jain to focus on the unauthorised colonies and the slums to give priority.

Presently, around 158 mohalla clinics are operational in Delhi. The government has set a target of setting up 1,000 more such clinics.

Following the direction, the Delhi government started work for setting up 450 mohalla clinics by this month. 250 of these clinics will be made inside government school premises.

The Health Department has tied up with the Education Department so that the clinics can be constructed inside Delhi government school premises without any hassles. However, these clinics will have different entry points and working hours from that of the school. According to sources, the CM Kejriwal urged both the departments to join hands.

After taking the charge of the Water Department, Kejriwal approved nearly 324 Mohalla clinics at the Delhi Jal Board sites. The CM has requested all the government bodies to provide help in expanding the clinics. However, the CM has asserted that the help from all the agencies would be needed for this project.

Mohalla clinics is a flagship project of the AAP government which has been aimed at providing free primary healthcare to city residents closer to home.