Delhi’s ‘Sick’ Mohalla Clinics: Is This Arvind Kejriwal’s Dream?

Arvind Kejriwal’s Mohalla Clinics were intended to look after the sick, but they seem to be unwell themselves.

Babarpur Mohalla Clinic’s ‘sick’ condition

(Photo: Shadab Moizee) 

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s dream project to provide health care to the sick, seems to be in an ailing state itself.

Kejriwal had promised to build a 1,000 Mohalla Clinics when the Aam Aadmi Party formed its government in Delhi. But, three years on, only 164 clinics have been built in Delhi.

Amidst reports questioning the efficacy of the Mohalla Clinics, The Quint decided to conduct a status check and visited four of them.

Location 1: Maharani Bagh, Kilokari

Broken toilets at Kilokari

Our first stop was Kilokari, near the Maharani Bagh area. The clinic there seemed to be in a decent condition on the outside, but walk through the doors and you’ll get a completely different picture. Everything inside the clinic was in tatters, including the flooring, stands, lights, bathrooms, etc.

It ran for a month and has been dysfunctional for a year now. It’s a total waste of money. The AAP has wasted public money. Constructing the clinic here was very insensible.

DC Chandra, Kilokri resident

Responding to The Quint’s report, the AAP said that it has taken cognisance of the allegations against the Mohalla Clinics. The party, however, alleged that some of the newly constructed clinics were not operational due to the L-G Anil Baijal’s reluctance to give the necessary permissions and the IAS officers’ strike.

The AAP’s statement said the Kilokari clinic was shut due to multiple robberies, and the government will relocate it to another building in the area.

Delhi’s Health Minister Satyendra Jain, in the statement, promised that these clinics will start operations by 1 July.

Location 2: Babarpur, Kabir Nagar

Donkeys graze in and around the clinic in Babarpur.

The clinic in Delhi Minister Gopal Rai’s constituency, Babarpur, was in the worst condition, with horses and donkeys living inside the supposed Mohalla Clinic. Built only a year ago, the establishment caught fire before its inauguration and has been left in a charred state ever since. The cause of the fire? Unknown.

It was put up a year ago but no one maintained it. A month ago, a fire broke out here. Since then it’s been lying vacant and untended.

Sulaiman, Kabir Nagar resident

Location 3: Khajuri Flyover

A security guard posted at the Khajuri flyover clinic.

This Mohalla Clinic has been waiting for doctors ever since it opened. Security guards have been posted here to guard the air-conditioners and fans. But they claim that the area is frequented by goons and addicts. A wooden panel has been installed in front of the glass door to prevent it from breaking.

Location 4: Gokulpuri

The Mohalla Clinic here was built a year ago, and amenities such as fans, air-conditioners, etc, are in place. However, the clinic is yet to begin operations. Locals say that if the clinic starts, then it would be of great help to the residents in the area.

Besides these, Azadpur, Sangam Vihar and many clinics in Old Delhi are in a deplorable condition.

The Kejriwal government has allocated Rs 403 crore for Mohalla Clinics for the year 2018-2019. But after looking at these clinics, one wonders how can anyone be treated here.

(This article was originally published on Quint Hindi)

(This copy has been updated with AAP's response.)