New Delhi, India – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a probe into five corruption allegations against the mohalla clinics in Delhi, a flagship initiative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The allegations include fake diagnostic tests, spurious drugs, and irregularities in the running of these government-run clinics.

The Union Home Ministry has ordered the CBI probe following the recommendations of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena, and Union Minister Anurag Thakur. Both of them have accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP of being involved in the corruption scam.

What are mohalla clinics and why are they important?

The mohalla clinics are community health centres that provide free primary healthcare to the residents of Delhi. They were launched by the AAP government in 2015 with the aim of making healthcare accessible to all, especially the poor and the marginalized. The mohalla clinics offer basic services such as consultation, diagnosis, medicines, and tests.

The initiative has been praised for its innovation and impact by various national and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the Lancet. The mohalla clinics have also been replicated in other states and countries, such as Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Myanmar.

What are the corruption allegations against mohalla clinics?

The corruption allegations against the mohalla clinics are as follows:

• Fake diagnostic tests: Some of the mohalla clinics have been accused of prescribing unnecessary and fake diagnostic tests to the patients, such as blood tests, urine tests, and X-rays. These tests are allegedly done by private labs that have a nexus with the clinic staff and the AAP leaders. The patients are charged exorbitant fees for these tests, which are not covered by the government scheme.
• Spurious drugs: Some of the mohalla clinics have been accused of procuring and supplying spurious and sub-standard drugs to the patients, some of which are life-saving. These drugs are allegedly sourced from dubious vendors that have links with the AAP leaders. The Drug Controller, under the Delhi Health Department, had sent samples of these drugs for testing and found that over 10 per cent of them were not of standard quality.
• Irregularities in the running of the clinics: Some of the mohalla clinics have been accused of violating the norms and guidelines of the government scheme, such as the location, size, staff, equipment, and records of the clinics. These clinics are allegedly run in rented premises that are unfit for medical purposes, such as shops, garages, and basements. Some of the clinics are also understaffed, under-equipped, and poorly maintained. Some of the clinics also do not maintain proper records of the patients, the services, and the expenses.

How is the CBI probe affecting the AAP government and the public?

The CBI probe has put the AAP government and the Chief Minister under pressure and scrutiny. The AAP has denied the allegations and claimed that they are politically motivated and fabricated. The AAP has also accused the central government and the Lieutenant Governor of interfering in the affairs of Delhi and trying to sabotage the mohalla clinic initiative.

The public, on the other hand, has expressed mixed reactions to the CBI probe. Some of the people have welcomed the probe and demanded a fair and transparent investigation. They have also expressed their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the AAP government and the mohalla clinics. Some of the people, however, have supported the AAP government and the mohalla clinics. They have also questioned the timing and the motive of the CBI probe. They have also praised the AAP government and the mohalla clinics for providing them with quality and affordable healthcare.

The CBI probe is expected to reveal the truth behind the corruption allegations and bring the guilty to justice. The outcome of this probe will also have significant implications for the future of healthcare in the capital.”