NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry has accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government of turning the Ayushman Bharat — Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) — funded largely by the Centre — into Aam Aadmi Clinics.
The ministry has, in a letter sent to the principal secretary (health & family welfare) of Punjab said that if stated that if the branding of the AB-HWCs run under the National Health Mission wasn’t restored back to the standard plan as decided upon on the initiation of the project by February 28, the Centre may stop the release of funds.
“The guidelines for the AB-HWCs, for which 60% funding is given by the Centre, are very clear and the same for all states. Minor changes to suit the local needs are acceptable. But Punjab has changed the name of the facility itself, from Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centre to Aam Aadmi Clinics. This is unacceptable,” said an official. He added that few other states, for example Telangana and Andhra were also found to have diluted the branding, partially, but they have agreed to restore the branding as per the norms.
“All states were asked to ensure that façade branding of the HWCs as per the design manual of the NHM in 2018. Even then, states like Punjab have deviated significantly from the terms and conditions,” the ministry said.
The ministry has, in a letter sent to the principal secretary (health & family welfare) of Punjab said that if stated that if the branding of the AB-HWCs run under the National Health Mission wasn’t restored back to the standard plan as decided upon on the initiation of the project by February 28, the Centre may stop the release of funds.
“The guidelines for the AB-HWCs, for which 60% funding is given by the Centre, are very clear and the same for all states. Minor changes to suit the local needs are acceptable. But Punjab has changed the name of the facility itself, from Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centre to Aam Aadmi Clinics. This is unacceptable,” said an official. He added that few other states, for example Telangana and Andhra were also found to have diluted the branding, partially, but they have agreed to restore the branding as per the norms.
“All states were asked to ensure that façade branding of the HWCs as per the design manual of the NHM in 2018. Even then, states like Punjab have deviated significantly from the terms and conditions,” the ministry said.