New Delhi: 1,000 more Mohalla clinics by next year, says Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that 1,000 more 'Mohalla clinics' will come up in the national capital in a year, while terming his government as "Sabse Tej" in the country for constructing schools and hospitals in record time.

Speaking after the inauguration of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College at Rohini in north-west Delhi, Kejriwal noted that his government was successful in building a medical college in a "record time" of one year.

"There is a TV channel, dont know which one that claims to be Sabse Tej (fastest). Dont know if it is fastest or not but Delhi government is 'Sabse Tej' as it constructed the medical college in one year," he said in a lighter vein.

The Chief Minister said the AAP government had set up 100 Mohalla clinics which is more than the number of dispensaries that came up in last 60 years.

"100 Mohalla clinics have come up in past one year which is more than the number of dispensaries that were built in last 60 years. 1,000 more dispensaries (Mohalla clinics) will be ready in Delhi in the next six months. I feel no such record exists in the whole world," he said.

Kejriwal also appreciated Health minister Satyendar Jain's announcement regarding conversion of private rooms in government hospitals into air conditioned wards for providing medical facilities to rich and poor alike.

Expressing his government's commitment to ensuring quality health and education facilities for the poorest, the Chief Minister said 200 schools have been constructed in one year.

"Constructing 200 schools in one year, I think it should find a mention in the Guinness Book," he said.

"Earlier there were delays due to corruption because everyone was indulging in setting (unscrupulous dealings). Officers and ministers did not work till they got their commission. Now this entire chain has been broken and no one is taking money which is why work is faster now," he said.

Stating that Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College was the only state-run medical college that came up in the city in last six decades, Kejriwal quipped that the next one should not take another 60 years.

"A total of 1,000 seats are available in the government medical colleges in Delhi which need to be increased. The city should be developed into an education hub," he said.

"With the addition of 100 seats of Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College to the existing 1,000 seats, there are just 485 medical seats for Delhi students which need to be increased urgently," he added.