With the country’s poor not receiving adequate medical attention, the Mohalla clinics launched by the Arvind Kejriwal Government have brought an immense relief to the poor and the needy people. At present there are about 100 operational clinics across the national capital, offering primary healthcare like basic consultation, tests and medicines.
The Chief Minister had recently declared to open over 1,000 such clinics all over the city. Mohalla Clinics were promised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in their election manifesto.
These clinics are located at buildings rented by Government and doctors are hired on contract basis. The Raghubir Nagar Mohalla clinic, located in West Delhi operates from 9 am to 1 pm and caters to around 100 patients daily, mostly from the lower income group. The clinic is a humble space that houses a nurse, a doctor and assistant staff. It also consists of a waiting area for patients
According to one of the staff members, “medical facilities can be availed for free. The clinic stocks about 80 different types of medicines including ones for hypertension, fever, diabetes etc. Routine tests and blood sugar levels can also be checked.”
The clinic although located in dingy and decrepit lanes, has a well maintained infrastructure with adequate lighting and an air conditioner. The process to avail treatment is simple however quite slow owing to the huge turn over of patients. The receipts only contain names which are then forwarded to the assistant staff; however the whole process is done on papers and not computerised which many a time leads to confusion and chaos.
“This is my third visit to the clinic and I am satisfied with the service. But, sometimes it gets overcrowded and is left agitated” said Sumitra Devi, a diabetic patient. Jubail, another resident of the locality, says that they get medicines they need for free from the clinic. “The Moholla clinic really helped in my breathing problem in a short amount of time. It has also made a massive impact to the area”, she adds.
The Mohalla clinics have the potential of becoming a game changer for healthcare in India said a doctor posted at the clinic. However, some concerns need to be addressed. Firstly, the level of sanitation and hygiene needs to be maintained throughout. Secondly, the waiting area needs to be allotted more space, the doctor said.