MESS IN THE MOHALLA?

As allegations fly thick and fast over 'fake' tests at private labs linked to city government's flagship scheme Mohalla Clinic, Ashish Srivastava raises concerns of the 'aam aadmi' and investigates what may have gone wrong

- 

The present regime in the Delhi government led by AAP won consecutive elections promising basic civic amenities – clean water, an accessible healthcare system, subsidized power, cheap public transport infrastructure, and affordable education.

Among them, affordable healthcare resonated greatly with the voters as flourishing private healthcare system and neglected public institutes have been burdening people and their pockets with medical expenses.

The promise of sophisticated health services within budget fructified into the introduction of Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics (AAMC) scheme, often touted as a ‘revolutionary’ intervention in healthcare by AAP. The Mohalla Clinic initiative found its way into the AAP manifesto, promised during assembly elections of every state where the party contested. The model is currently being replicated in Punjab where the party scored a thumping majority in the last assembly election. For the AAP, the AAMC scheme has been a vote magnet.

However, cracks have begun to appear in the flagship scheme as several controversies have crowded in recently. The AAMC has faced several allegations of irregularities, corruption and mismanagement, including few alleged scams in Delhi as well as Punjab.

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the alleged irregularities in the scheme has marred the scheme’s reputation. The probe specifically targets the construction and operational aspects of these clinics, highlighting issues of financial misappropriation and procedural violations.