As Delhi gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics (AAMC), a flagship initiative of the Aam Aadmi Party government, are under the spotlight. Lauded as a revolutionary step towards accessible healthcare, the clinics have become a significant talking point in the political landscape, with their performance and impact likely to play a crucial role in shaping voter sentiment.
These Mohalla Clinics were envisioned with the aim to provide accessible and affordable healthcare in Delhi. Launched in October 2015 by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, these neighbourhood clinics promised free consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines, targeting disadvantaged populations.
As per the Delhi Directorate General of Health Services, as of 2022, there are 518 functional Mohalla Clinics across the national capital.
While the Mohalla Clinic initiative was praised as a model for urban free healthcare by many including Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who in 2017 called them an ‘impressive initiative’, a detailed investigation revealed varied ground reality.
Over a period of two months, The Quint visited seven AAMCs in South and Southeast Delhi and found a mixed picture of successes, systemic challenges, and operational failures. These include clinics in Govindpuri, Kalkaji, G.K. 1, Shaheen Bagh, Batla House, Nehru Nagar and Garhi Village.
Location 1: Govindpuri Mohalla Clinic
The morning of 30 November 2024 was a busy one at the Mohalla Clinic in southeast Delhi’s Govindpuri. The doctor saw at least 12 patients before noon.
Indrajeet Gagneja, 61, a local resident, said that he frequents the clinic whenever needed but lately hasn’t been able to find a few medicines. “The doctor here is very good but today they don’t have the laxative medicine that I need. They also don’t have the Vitamin D tablets. They have some kind of powder instead,” he told The Quint.
Another visitor, 15 year old Md. Alam also said that he comes to the clinic often.
“I come here whenever I have any health issue and they always do a good job. Today, I came here to get my acne checked and they gave me some medicine for the same”, he said.
The clinic, located on the roadside, was fairly easy to spot. It had a small waiting room, a reception desk and an examination room. The doctor’s cabin had a small desk with a bed and a curtain at the back for inspections.
Location 2: Kalkaji Mohalla Clinic
In Kalkaji, a Mohalla Clinic stands near the Kalkaji Bus Stand. The Quint visited the clinic twice — first on 9 November and then again on 15 January for one hour.
As per visitors, this clinic too has a round the clock steady flow of patients.
Patients reported receiving timely check-ups and medicines. “I had to get my father checked for cough and chest pain and it’s my first time visiting the clinic. The doctor did a thorough check up and provided us with free medicines,” a visitor at the clinic, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Quint.
Tuntun Kumar Yadav, a street vendor who sells veg biryani right in front of the Mohalla Clinic corroborated these claims. “From what I have seen, a lot of people visit the clinic. If I had to give a rough headcount, I’d say around 100 people visit the clinic daily.”
Location 3: Greater Kailash-1 Mohalla Clinic
The clinic in Greater Kailash-1(GK-1) , an affluent neighbourhood in south Delhi, was clean and well staffed with a doctor, two assistants and a helper. The Quint visited this clinic twice for over an hour each in the morning — first on 9 November 2024 and then on 14 January 2025.
While on 9 November, there were no patients at the clinic, a steady influx of patients was seen on 14 January.
Kripa Shankar, a 50 year-old salesman at bookstore, located at a distance of a km from the clinic, said he often visits the GK-1 clinic due to the proximity of the clinic to his workplace.
He said, “The treatment we receive here is extremely satisfactory. These clinics are even better than government hospitals since here waiting time is less and is also very hygienic. Everything is for free here. I have been visiting this clinic for 3 years. Crucial tests like blood sugar tests are done here and medicines are also available at all times. If a medicine is not available an alternative is given.”
Shankar, who is a resident of Shahdara also stated that the Shahdara Mohalla Clinic functions equally well and his family members get treated there.
Shankar worries that the Clinic might shut down if the Aam Aadmi Party does not return to power in Delhi. “We worry what will happen to us if Kejriwal is not re-elected in this election.”
Dinesh Mukhiya, 39, who was at the clinic on 14 January said, “I have visited this clinic two to three times before. Today’s visit is due to cough and cold. Clinic is doing good for poor people. All medicines are available including one’s related to vitamins and calcium. Thyroid test is also available here.”
Mukhiya pointed out that the location of the Clinic was challenging as it was located at an isolated nook.
There were, however, signboards at several metres indicating the location of the clinic.
Doctors and staff at these clinics refused to comment or answer queries pertaining to the staff, available medicines and other facilities provided at the clinic. “We cannot speak until permission from the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) is granted,” a staff member said.
Location 4: Shaheen Bagh Mohalla Clinic
In Shaheen Bagh, a neighbourhood in south Delhi’s Okhla, the Mohalla clinic had a steady flow of patients on 11 November. Most of them, however, were not happy with the treatment provided.
Mohammad Usman, 55, said that he was suffering from a cough for two weeks and visited the clinic twice but did not see any improvement. “They give the same medicines for multiple illnesses due to which patients visit again and again as they see no difference in their health,” Usman alleged.
Location 5: Batla House Mohalla Clinic
Less than four kilometers from Shaheen Bagh, in Batla House, the Mohalla Clinic stands as a vital healthcare provider in the area. As per the clinic staff, approximately 100 patients visit the facility in a day.
The reporters visited Batla House Mohalla Clinic on 20 November.
The clinic, however, operates under severe constraints, primarily due to irregular medicine supplies. According to a medical practitioners at the clinic, medicines are supplied every three months. But the stock often runs out before that mark leaving the clinic to function without essential medicines for about 15-20 days.
“During those days, we ask our patients to buy medicines from outside pharmacies,” the staff explained.
Amid a surge in air pollution, the clinic saw a rise in patients suffering from respiratory ailments including cough, difficulty in breathing, and eye irritation. Yet, the limited stock of medicines meant that the clinic struggled to address these issues effectively.
The staff alleged to The Quint that the clinic lacks capacity to treat diseases like malaria. “When malaria cases surged in Delhi we couldn’t treat those patients because our clinic wasn't supplied with malaria medicines. Despite repeated requests to the District Officer at the South East district drug store in Saket, these medicines were not made available,” the member alleged.
(The Quint has reached out to the concerned District Officer. This story will be updated as and when we receive a response.)
Location 6: Nehru Nagar Mohalla Clinic
It was 11 am in the morning on 3 December and three people sat in the waiting room of the Nehru Nagar Mohalla Clinic, as the doctor examined them one by one. It was hygienic and well maintained. The clinic was well staffed with a pharmacist and a receptionist.
On 14 January at 12.30 pm, the reporter made their second visit to the Clinic. There were six patients, a pharmacist, doctor, and a receptionist. The locals said the clinic is usually well kept because it is not very old as it was moved 100 meters from its previous site just six months ago.
27-year-old Nikita Chauhan, who resides in Nehru Nagar, told The Quint that the locals usually prefer private clinics in Lajpat Nagar, which is near Nehru Nagar, for their medical care rather than the mohalla clinic.
"Even though the Mohalla Clinic is very close to my home, I have never visited it because I have heard that the medications it offers don't work or heal us. Instead, I see my family doctor in Lajpat Nagar."
60-year-old Gujram, a daily wage labourer in the area, however, visits the clinic at least once a week.
"I visit the Mohalla clinic once a week for respiratory and cough issues, and the doctor prescribes medications to me,” he said.
Madhu, a 35-year-old employee of the Dhobi Ghat in Nehru Nagar, stated that she visits the Mohalla clinic to check the blood pressure of her 60-year-old mother-in-law.
“The receptionist requests our phone number or Aadhar card before consulting. It used to be challenging earlier because we lacked Aadhar cards, but these days they accept the phone number,” Madhu adds.
Rumjhum, a 25-year-old Uttar Pradesh immigrant who has been working at Dhobi Ghat and living in Nehru Nagar for two years, said she frequently goes to the clinic for her father and kids. "I take my kids to the Mohalla Clinic whenever they have a fever, cough, or cold. We receive adequate medications to treat our ailments”.
“I also take my father to the same clinic because he has high blood pressure and diabetes. Before going to the Mohalla clinic, the doctor asks us to get an insulin checkup at another clinic, as he only offers us medications for diabetes”.
She added that starting insulin testing at the Mohalla clinic would be very beneficial in easing her financial burdens.
Location 7: East of Kailash Mohalla Clinic
When The Quint visited Garhi Village Mohalla Clinic located in the East of Kailash on 3 December at 1 pm, it had a doctor and a pharmacist and 3 patients.
Garbage had piled up at the entrance, some vehicles were parked in the compound, and posters of social security schemes launched by the AAP were pasted on the walls. Several residents in the vicinity told the reporters that the clinic was shut from October-November and had only recently opened again.
The medical practitioner, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed, “the clinic was closed since the previous doctor had resigned from his job in September.”
The staff emphasised the need for the government to expedite the appointment of new doctors in such situations.
The disruption of services by the clinic for two months led to challenges for regular patients.
A 60-year-old woman suffering from shortage of breath, blood pressure issues, and diabetes said, “I came here to avail medicines but found that the clinic was closed. What if it shuts down again and permanently this time?” she questioned.
Addressing the challenges faced, one of the staff members explained, “There has been a shortage of medicines, a situation similar to that in government hospitals. This is the first time in my one-year tenure that I have observed such a shortage, primarily because the government is working to standardise the quality of medicines.”
The staff also noted that doctors had experienced salary cuts in the past but added that “the pending dues have now been cleared.”
‘We Are Working to Improve The Model’: AAP Spokesperson
Speaking to The Quint, AAP spokesperson Nimmi Rastogi defended the initiative. Rastogi acknowledged the shortcomings but also emphasised its achievements.
“Theft, doctor shortages, and lack of cooperation from local authorities have slowed progress. Additionally, the project faced delays following our Minister’s arrest,” Rastogi explained.
Former Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in May 2022 on charges of money laundering. Nine months after his arrest, he resigned from his ministerial positions, and since then Saurabh Bharadwaj has held the Health portfolio in the Delhi Cabinet.
Rastogi also highlighted the broader success of Mohalla Clinics, claiming that over 95 percent of the 500+ clinics are functional, with over six crore outpatient visits recorded to date. She acknowledged that medicine shortages and occasional salary delays for doctors are real issues but argued that the initiative remains a transformative healthcare model. “The ups and downs are bound to happen. We are noting our shortcomings and working to improve,” she added.
Rastogi also addressed allegations from political opponents, particularly the BJP, accusing them of exploiting isolated failures to create a negative narrative. “They highlight non-functional clinics and build stories around them, ignoring the larger success of the project,” she claimed. However, she acknowledged that operational inconsistencies, such as doctors borrowing medicines from other clinics or the lack of adequate staff, are challenges the government must address.
Ghost Patients and Budget Constraints
The Mohalla Clinics have also suffered a setback from Delhi’s healthcare budget for 2024-2025. According to government data, the overall allocation for the sector has been cut from ₹9,742 crore in 2023-2024 to ₹8,685 crore this year.
Previously the Mohalla Clinic project had also come under scrutiny following revelations of pathology tests prescribed for nearly 65,000 “ghost patients” between February and December 2023.
As Delhi’s citizens continue to grapple with the complexities of urban healthcare, the AAP government’s Mohalla Clinics serve as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the challenges of implementing ambitious public health projects. The initiative’s ability to adapt and overcome these challenges will ultimately determine its legacy.
'Consistency and Quality Critical For The Initiative To Succeed'
Shomik Ray, Associate Professor at the Public Health Foundation of India, highlighted that he appreciated the Mohalla clinics initiative in Delhi, as it provides accessible health services near residents' homes. “In a cosmopolitan city like Delhi, with a large population of migrants and urban settlers who may not afford private health services, these clinics offer vital support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohalla clinics played an important role in testing and delivering essential services."
"However," he added, "while some clinics operate very well, others face issues with the quality of services. Consistency and quality are critical for this initiative to succeed."
Ray expressed concern over declining national health spending and called for greater prioritisation of health by governments, irrespective of political affiliations. He urged policymakers to review evaluation reports on Mohalla clinics and address areas requiring improvement while ensuring accountability at the grassroots level.
(The writers are students of Masters in Convergent Journalism, AJK, MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia. They report on politics, health, human rights and gender.)