Former UN general secretary Ban Ki-Moon visits mohalla clinics, polyclinics, praises govt efforts
On a visit to the Mohalla clinics in the national capital on Friday, former United Nations general secretary Ban Ki-Moon and former Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland praised the health facility built under the project by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
The duo was visiting Delhi as part of a delegation of ‘The Elders’, a global organisation of world leaders working on peace and human rights founded by late Nelson Mandela.
“I’ve been to different parts of the world, but what I saw today is the best and most systematic form of healthcare in the form of Mohalla clinics and polyclinics. I’m really touched and impressed by the efforts of the Delhi government. I hope there will be support and strong engagement at the Union government level also,” said Ban Ki-Moon.
Early on Friday morning, Ban and Brundtland visited the Peeragarhi Mohalla Clinic and a polyclinic in west Delhi’s Paschim Vihar, along with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendra Jain. Ban said he was deeply impressed with Kejriwal’s “strong engagement and vision” to provide primary healthcare services to the poor and vulnerable people.
“Delhi government is grateful to Ban Ki-Moon and Gro Harlem Brundtland for visiting Mohalla clinics and polyclinics. They were impressed by how quality healthcare was being provided to the poor people of Delhi. The Delhi healthcare model is being appreciated across the world. A proud moment for India,” Kejriwal said.
Currently, there are 189 functional Mohalla clinics in the city and Kejriwal confirmed to the Elders’ delegation that they are planning to set-up another 1,000 in the coming few months. The Mohalla clinic in Peeragarhi was set up on July 19, 2015, and has seen a very good response.
“We are happy that we are able to provide healthcare services to patients at the ground level. This is a very good concept, and I am privileged to lead it from here,” said Dr Alka Choudhary, Doctor In-charge, Peeragarhi Mohalla Clinic.
Ban Ki-Moon has also suggested that India should increase its health budget from one percent of the GDP to atleast 2.5 percent by 2021.
Kejriwal told Ban and Brundtland about “several political obstructions and interventions” created in setting up Mohalla Clinics, without naming anybody.
“In the last two-and-a-half-years, we could not do any work due to several obstructions, but after the Supreme Court judgment, we are confident to set up a thousand Mohalla Clinics in next few months,” he told reporters.
Brundtland, who has also served as the director general of the World Health Organisation, said she witnessed “impressive work” being done at the Mohalla Clinic and the polyclinic.
“In Delhi, with Mohalla Clinics and plans to develop them, you are approaching what needs to be done for all people, for every Indian and everyone in every country. So, we are happy to see what is being done here in Delhi and what the government has been planning and implementing on the behalf of the people of this region. It needs to be done all over India,” she said.
1,000 MORE SOON
- Currently, there are 189 functional Mohalla clinics in the city and Kejriwal confirmed to the Elders’ delegation that they are planning to set-up another 1,000 in the coming few months.
- Ban Ki-Moon has suggested that India should increase its health budget from one per cent of the GDP to atleast 2.5 per cent by 2021.
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 "Arvind Kejriwal with Ban Ki-Moon and Gro Harlem Brundtland")
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