CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the state government will open 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state, taking the total number of such clinics to 1,081, in a bid to further enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services to people.
Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of a WhatsApp Chatbot for 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, Mann said it was a historic day for the healthcare sector in Punjab as these clinics have now been connected to a WhatsApp Chatbot.
He said these clinics cater to nearly 70,000 patients daily, and in today’s digital age, the chatbot will be highly beneficial for patients. He added that the initiative is expected to bring revolutionary changes in healthcare services.
Mann said that, as approximately 90 per cent of people own a smartphone, they can now be reached directly through WhatsApp. Patients will now receive complete health-related information via WhatsApp, including access to doctors' prescription slips through the chatbot. Diagnostic test reports will also be shared, and patients will receive reminders about their next consultation dates.
He added that regular WhatsApp updates will be provided on care for elderly people with diabetes or blood pressure, pregnant women, and newborns. The new system will eliminate the need for patients to physically store prescriptions or medication records, as all information will be accessible digitally. The Health Department will also maintain a digital database of patients, their ailments, and treatments.
Mann reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all and said Punjab will soon launch 200 more Aam Aadmi Clinics. He also noted that Punjab is the first state in the country to implement the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana’, which provides medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family.
He further said that the government is making significant efforts to transform the state into a medical hub and informed that approval has been given for establishing four new medical colleges in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, and Nawanshahr.