The ambitious 'Aam Aadmi Clinics' project initiated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government to strengthening primary healthcare in the state, has achieved yet another significant milestone as the Outpatient Department (OPD) visits have now crossed the remarkable two crore mark in just two years.
Sharing this milestone today, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh revealed that over 2 crore individuals in the state have received free treatment from the 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics since August 15, 2022. Notably, there are 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics— 312 in urban areas and 530 in Rural areas— functioning in the state providing free treatment, besides offering 80 types of free medicines and 38 types of free diagnostic tests.
Providing a break-up about the footfall at the Aam Aadmi Clinics, Dr Balbir Singh mentioned that these clinics serve around 58,900 patients daily, with an average of 70 patients visiting each clinic everyday. This statistic underscores the efficiency and effectiveness of the clinics in managing a significant patient load, he added.
“Out of 2 crore visitors, 90 lakhs are unique visits, showcasing the broad accessibility of the clinics, while 1.10 crore visits are re-visits, indicating the trust and satisfaction of the patients,” said the Health Minister, while adding that the clinics have played a crucial role in reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for individuals by a substantial amount of Rs 1030 crores.
He further informed that 55% of OPD visits are by females, indicating a notable shift towards gender-inclusive healthcare. These clinics are actively breaking traditional barriers and ensuring equal access for all individuals. Furthermore, 11.20% of visits are by Children and Adolescents (0-12 age group), while a substantial 68.86% are by Adults (13-60 age group). Additionally, 19.94% of visits are by Senior citizens (Above 60). This diverse age representation underscores the Aam Aadmi Clinics' dedication to meet the healthcare needs of all age demographics.
The Health Minister further informed that each clinic is equipped with IT infrastructure, ensuring complete digitisation of registration, medical consultations, examinations and prescriptions