Expanded reach of Aam Aadmi clinics, Punjab government’s health services to soon cover jails
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Clinic initiative has brought a transformative change to the state’s healthcare system. This historic model of primary healthcare is now set to extend beyond the high walls of prisons. Having successfully treated more than 4.20 crore patients and providing free healthcare to nearly 73,000 people every single day, the Mann government has proven that both its intention and policies are genuinely dedicated to public welfare.
Taking a decisive step forward, the government is now moving toward establishing Aam Aadmi Clinics in all 10 central jails of Punjab. This initiative is not merely a medical upgrade for prisons—it reflects the philosophy of the “Sevak Government,” which believes that every individual, whether living in society or behind bars, deserves free and high-quality healthcare. Setting up these clinics in prisons is a crucial move to address overcrowding and to prevent the spread of serious diseases among inmates, including Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tuberculosis.
Although the Punjab Health Department already deploys 24×7 medical officers in all state prisons, this new initiative will further strengthen the existing infrastructure and significantly expand specialized health services.
The Health Department has already begun identifying spaces inside jails where these clinics will be set up. Inmates will receive access to 107 types of free medicines and 47 types of free diagnostic tests—an unprecedented step toward improving healthcare within prisons. Currently, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are operating successfully across Punjab, and an additional 236 clinics are scheduled to open soon, for which the government has recently issued tenders. With this expansion, the total number of operational clinics will reach approximately 1,117.
The growing public trust in these clinics clearly shows that a major transformation has taken place in the state’s healthcare delivery system. Earlier, people from rural and economically weaker sections were forced to travel to large hospitals even for minor treatments. Today, they can simply walk to their neighbourhood or village Aam Aadmi Clinic and receive free, high-quality primary care. This initiative has freed millions of poor families from the burden of expensive healthcare.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government has made it clear that good health is not just a slogan but a top governing priority. By extending this scheme to prisons, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to reaching even the most marginalized and invisible sections of society. This groundbreaking step will not only strengthen healthcare services inside jails but also mark a milestone toward creating a more humane and just system.
The Mann government’s initiative is steadily establishing Punjab as a leading health-care model in the entire country. (Advertorial)