Chandigarh, August 3 — In a move aimed at transforming healthcare accessibility across Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced the opening of 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, bringing the total number of these facilities in the state to 1,081. The announcement was made during a significant event marking the inauguration of a WhatsApp-based chatbot service designed to connect with the 881 operational clinics across the state.
Describing it as a landmark day for Punjab’s health sector, the Chief Minister said that nearly 70,000 patients are treated daily at Aam Aadmi Clinics, and with 90% of the state’s population having access to smartphones, the WhatsApp chatbot will now provide a seamless digital interface for services. Patients can receive doctor’s slips, diagnostic reports, appointment updates, follow-up reminders, and personalized healthcare information directly through the messaging platform.
This digital integration aims to reduce physical paperwork and ensure better record management. Patients will now be able to share prescriptions with their families or consult other doctors effortlessly, the Chief Minister said, emphasizing that the chatbot would be especially helpful in managing care for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Alongside the launch of new clinics, the Chief Minister stated that Punjab is maintaining a digital database of patient records, ailments, and treatments. This is part of the government’s broader goal to ensure free and quality healthcare for all. He reiterated that Punjab remains the first state in the country to implement the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana’, offering medical cover of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually.
Highlighting failures of previous regimes, Mann said that healthcare never featured in their governance priorities. Many rural families were pushed into debt due to costly treatments. He asserted that the current government is committed to delivering dignified and free healthcare services as a matter of fundamental governance.
In line with building Punjab into a medical education hub, he revealed that four new medical colleges have been sanctioned in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, and Nawanshahr. Additionally, he cited the state’s social reforms, including free electricity to 90% of households and a record number of government school students excelling in national-level entrance exams like NEET and JEE Advanced.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the success of the Road Safety Force, which has led to a 48% decline in road accident deaths in Punjab. Equipped with 144 high-tech vehicles and trained personnel, including women officers, the force has earned national recognition.
He also invited the visiting World Health Organization (WHO) team to assess Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Clinics and provide international perspectives to strengthen healthcare further.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, and Health Secretary Kumar Rahul were among the key officials present at the event.
This news is sourced from web media and is based on inputs from international news websites.
