The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 6 July – Taking a historic step towards strengthening Delhi’s public health system, the Delhi Government, under the guidance of Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and the leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, distributed appointment letters to 1,388 nursing officers and 41 paramedical staff in a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan today.
On this occasion, Ayushman Bharat Registration Vans were also flagged off. These vans will facilitate the registration of eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the Vay Vandana Yojana by reaching out directly to the doorsteps of citizens in underprivileged areas of Delhi.
The event was graced by Members of Parliament Praveen Khandelwal, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, and Cabinet Ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Ravindra Indraj Singh, along with several MLAs and dignitaries.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda stated, “This is not merely a recruitment campaign, but a historic effort to address a 15-year backlog in Delhi’s healthcare workforce. These appointments mark the beginning of a new era of specialized human resources in the capital’s health system. It has been made possible only because of the public mandate in Delhi. One vote by the people has paved the way for this transformation.”
He added, “Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, a ₹1,700 crore budget was allocated for the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission in Delhi. Unfortunately, from 2021 to February 2025, not a single rupee of that budget was utilized. Now, with an active government in place, we are hopeful that this amount will be fully deployed in the next eight months for the welfare of the people of Delhi.”
Nadda emphasized that the nation is now shifting from treatment to prevention. “Through the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, we are ensuring free screenings for citizens above the age of 30 for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions. This is a comprehensive, sensitive, and pre-emptive approach that goes far beyond earlier superficial initiatives like the Mohalla Clinics.”
He further stated, “The appointment letters distributed today are not just jobs—they represent a sacred duty. Nurses and healthcare workers are like messengers of God on Earth. This must be viewed not merely as employment but as an opportunity to serve the nation.”
Nadda also shared that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the number of AIIMS has increased to 22, medical colleges have risen from 387 to 780, and medical seats have gone from 51,000 to 1.18 lakh. He said the central government aims to add another 75,000 seats in the next five years, and Delhi must actively participate in this expansion.
Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, in her address, highlighted that her government approved the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the very first cabinet meeting on the first day in office. She gave it top priority and ensured swift implementation, the results of which are now clearly visible.
She said, “So far, over 4 lakh eligible citizens have registered in Delhi, of which more than 2 lakh senior citizens are covered under the Vay Vandana Yojana. Additionally, over 2,258 patients have received free treatment in hospitals under the scheme. Currently, 108 hospitals in Delhi are empanelled under Ayushman Bharat, and the number is steadily increasing.”
The Chief Minister also pointed out that under previous governments, Delhi’s healthcare system was in a dire state. There were only 0.42 hospital beds per 1,000 citizens, and among 38 government hospitals, there were just 6 MRI and 12 CT scan machines—an alarming ratio for any metropolitan city. There was a severe shortage of doctors, medical staff, medicines, and modern equipment. She said the much-publicized Mohalla Clinic initiative completely failed due to lack of infrastructure and accountability mechanisms.
She further added that while the previous government left ₹1,750 crore of central funds untouched, the present administration has set a target of establishing 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs using the same funds. Out of these, 100 have been fully constructed, 34 have already been inaugurated, and the rest will be launched shortly. Alongside, 21 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have also been established in government hospitals to provide affordable medicines to the public.
The Chief Minister remarked that this day will be remembered as a landmark achievement for Delhi, as nearly 1,400 nursing officers were appointed at such a large scale after years of neglect. She reiterated that this is a testament to her government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector.
She also informed that now every hospital in Delhi has its own dedicated Medical Superintendent (MS), whereas earlier, one MS was assigned to oversee multiple hospitals—affecting the quality of care.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that these appointments are not just employment opportunities but sacred calls to serve society and the nation. She urged all newly appointed staff to carry out their responsibilities with compassion, commitment, and a spirit of service, and to play an active role in building a robust and accountable healthcare system.
She further said that These appointments have addressed the longstanding shortage of staff in Delhi’s hospitals. We extend a warm welcome to all the newly appointed nursing officers and paramedical staff into Delhi’s healthcare system.
This is not merely a job—it’s a golden opportunity for nation-building. Every patient must be treated with compassion and dedication—that should be the true purpose of our service. I have full confidence that all these newly appointed personnel will serve the people of Delhi with utmost sincerity and commitment.
Delhi’s Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, speaking on the occasion, said, “The government is fully committed to making Delhi’s healthcare system inclusive, modern, and citizen-centric. This is just the beginning—the real transformation is yet to come.”
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