Punjab’s healthcare expansion drive gained momentum as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated 109 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, further strengthening the state’s mohalla-style primary healthcare network.
With these additions, the total number of clinics has reached 990 within four years. The government has also outlined plans to significantly expand this network, with around 400 more clinics expected to be established in the near future, potentially taking the total close to 1,500.
Focusing on the healthcare model, Arvind Kejriwal stated that these clinics are designed to provide accessible and completely free primary medical services. Patients visiting these centres can avail themselves of 107 medicines and 47 diagnostic tests at no cost. He highlighted that the clinics have collectively recorded over 5 crore outpatient visits so far, indicating widespread and repeated usage among residents.
The core objective, he explained, is to ensure that people can easily access treatment for minor ailments without worrying about expenses related to consultation, medicines, or diagnostic procedures.
In addition to healthcare, Kejriwal also spoke about an upcoming financial assistance scheme for women in Punjab. He mentioned that registrations are expected to begin around the time of Baisakhi, under which eligible women aged above 18 years will receive monthly financial support, with higher benefits proposed for women from the Scheduled Caste communities.
Presenting this as part of the party’s broader welfare-oriented governance approach, he asserted that the government has been fulfilling its commitments while continuing to expand public benefits.
Kejriwal also drew comparisons with governance models in other regions, particularly regarding free electricity and public healthcare services. He cautioned voters against shifting their political preferences, arguing that Punjab’s free power supply and clinic-based healthcare system are outcomes of AAP’s policy decisions.
He further urged voters to support the party in the 2027 Assembly elections, calling for a strong mandate to sustain and expand welfare-driven initiatives.
Highlighting healthcare reforms, he also referred to the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’, which offers cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family. He noted that beneficiaries would be able to avail treatment in both government and empanelled private hospitals under this scheme.
On the agricultural front, Kejriwal pointed to improvements in electricity supply for irrigation and increased access to canal water, claiming enhanced coverage for farmers.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing the gathering, emphasised that his government is prioritising essential sectors such as healthcare, education, electricity, and agriculture. He contrasted this with what he described as the power-focused politics of opposition parties.
He also mentioned that the government is exploring the possibility of shifting high-tension electricity lines underground in agricultural areas to enhance safety for farmers.
Additionally, Mann stated that the government has provided free electricity to a majority of households, created employment opportunities for thousands of young people, and made investments in infrastructure, including roads and public utilities.
