Saurabh Bharadwaj, the vocal Delhi Health Minister, has reignited controversy by squarely blaming the government for the dismal state of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. In an exclusive interview, he dissected the scheme’s shortcomings, from inception to implementation, urging a complete overhaul.
Envisioned as hubs for traditional medicine, these mandirs were to bridge gaps in allopathic care with holistic alternatives. Bharadwaj, however, decried them as ‘photo-op projects’ – shiny inaugurations followed by neglect. He shared anecdotes of patients turned away due to absent practitioners and stocked shelves gathering dust.
Delving into numbers, Bharadwaj noted only 300 mandirs functional, operating at 40% capacity. He criticized tender irregularities and lack of community involvement, calling for decentralized management models. ‘Health isn’t a slogan; it’s a right,’ he emphasized, linking delays to political distractions.
The government’s retort cited land acquisition hurdles and supply chain issues, but Bharadwaj dismissed them as excuses. With rising NCDs demanding AYUSH interventions, his call for urgent reforms gains traction among experts. As Delhi navigates health crises, Bharadwaj’s push could catalyze real change, reminding leaders that accountability trumps announcements.