Delhi CM Assures Jobs for Mohalla Clinic staff in Arogya Mandirs
Mohalla Clinic Doctors Given One-Year Window as Delhi Moves to Ayushman Model
New Delhi: In a bid to quell rising concerns over job security among staff working at Delhi's flagship Mohalla Clinics, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday reassured doctors and healthcare workers that no one would lose their job under the city’s newly proposed healthcare framework.
The announcement came after accusations by the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that the Delhi government’s new healthcare plan would lead to the closure of Mohalla Clinics and the layoff of thousands of employees.
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According to the Hindu, “There is no reason to worry. No one will lose their job. In fact, the existing [Mohalla Clinic] staff will be prioritised in the new healthcare framework introduced by the government,” the CM said.
At a press conference, Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi president of AAP, alleged that the minutes from a May 7 meeting revealed plans to replace the Mohalla Clinics with U-AAMs and suggested there was no intention to retain the current staff. The decision would affect approximately 2,000 staff members and over 500 doctors.
Speaking to the Hindu, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Thousands of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and multi-task workers at Mohalla Clinics reached the Chief Minister’s ‘Janata Darbar’ today. They went there because a decision had been made to terminate their jobs.”
Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Singh had earlier clarified that the current staff working at Mohalla Clinics would not lose their jobs immediately.
According to the Indian Express, “It was discussed that the extension and empanelment of existing doctors and paramedical staff shall continue under existing terms and conditions for one year, or until the new manpower for Ayushman Arogya Mandir is appointed to serve areas currently covered by Mohalla Clinics, whichever is earlier. Further, sufficient notice for de-empanelment should be served to the empanelled human resource of the Mohalla Clinic as per the terms and conditions of empanelment,” stated the minutes.
The new hires for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be recruited according to National Health Mission (NHM) norms. The recruitment process will be conducted at the district level under the supervision of district magistrates, following a directive from the Health Minister. A detailed proposal for the recruitment plan is expected to be submitted soon.
Earlier, Singh had said that doctors and staffers for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be hired as per NHM criteria. “Anybody can apply, whoever is eligible. We do not have any issues with any doctor. Whoever fits the criteria will be appointed – be it mohalla clinic doctors or anybody who wants to apply,” he had added, the Indian Express reports.
Also Read: Delhi Govt to shut 250 Mohalla Clinics
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that around 250 Mohalla Clinics running from rented spaces across the capital will be shut down with immediate effect, said Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh. This decision is part of the fundamental changes in Delhi's healthcare system, which, according to Singh, will be visible within 100 days.
As per the news reports, out of 553 mohalla clinics currently operational, only 70 are set to be upgraded in the first phase. In total, 1,139 U-AAMs are planned across Delhi, of which 123 have been approved for the financial year 2025–26 under NHM.
