LG gives nod to set up more mohalla clinics, with riders

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday approved the Delhi government's proposal to set up more mohalla clinics, while making sure that certain safeguards to promote transparency and ensure delivery of quality health care services to Delhiites are incorporated by the government.

The safeguards are aimed at developing a robust healthcare delivery system, besides addressing complaints received in the implementation of the clinics so far.

To ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of healthcare, Baijal emphasised that doctors or staff engaged in these clinics should be properly qualified and engaged through a transparent mechanism.

To check complaints of data rigging, the LG advised that the administrative department must develop a sound mechanism to verify footfalls at these clinics.

Baijal also decided that the administrative department should evolve and migrate, within six months, to an online system based on Aadhaar/biometrics of patients.

Complaints were received by the LG's office in September, October November and December last year, pertaining to conceptualisation and implementation of the Aam Aadmi Mohalla clinics, which have been set up so far.

The gist of the complaints suggested that there is no transparent method to select premises for mohalla clinics and the rent of the premises is higher than market rate.

Baijal stressed that adequate safeguards to ensure data integrity and privacy of patients must be put in place by the administrative department.

He also asked the administrative department to ensure that all requisite instructions and modal formalities are followed, with proper oversight while incurring expenditure for procurement, supply and/or outsourcing of services, medicines and goods.

The LG observed that selection of premises for should be done through a transparent and objective mechanism, such that existing healthcare facilities are utilised in an optimum manner and the facilities are accessible to all, especially the weaker sections, without any duplication of scarce public resources.

In case of private premises, it has been noted that the selection of premises and fixation of rent should be through a transparent open process as per prevalent PWD/CPWD norms.

The LG ordered that the conditions laid down by the land owning agencies concerned for land use and construction of any temporary structure must be strictly followed. ''The Health Department shall not transfer, assign or otherwise part with the ownership or possession of the whole or any part of the said land in any manner,'' he stated.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Monday quick to thank the LG and assured him that the government will implement all the "safeguards"

"Thank u so much sir. We are grateful to u. We will implement all the safeguards," Kejriwal tweeted.

So far, nearly 110 Mohalla clinics have been set up across the city under the Delhi government's flagship project.