Jan Aushadhi Kendra to Be Established Within 500m of Every Govt Hospital: Delhi CM

In a move aimed at making essential medicines more accessible and affordable, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the government will set up Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the city, ensuring that every government hospital has one within a 500-meter radius. These centers will not only provide medicines at significantly lower prices but also offer sanitary napkins for women at just ₹1.

Speaking on the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas, Gupta emphasized how important these centers are for people, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds. "The previous governments did not implement the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana-perhaps because of the word 'Pradhan Mantri' in it. But we will ensure that these centers are opened everywhere, as directed by the Delhi High Court," she said.

Making Healthcare More Affordable

The Chief Minister, who visited a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Ashok Vihar early Friday morning, highlighted that the scheme makes medicines for serious illnesses like cancer and diabetes available at much lower prices. These WHO-certified medicines are often 50-70% cheaper than branded alternatives, with some available at discounts of up to 90%.

She also assured that government hospitals would receive support from these centers during medical emergencies, allowing them to procure medicines locally when needed.

Support from BJP Leaders

New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj praised the initiative, calling it a visionary project that has flourished under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. She pointed out that not only do these centers reduce medical expenses for the common people, but they also create employment opportunities through their franchise model.

Speaking from a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Karol Bagh, Swaraj highlighted the massive cost savings for patients:

Medicines for diabetes and hypertension are available at up to 91% lower prices
Multivitamins and calcium supplements are 94% cheaper
Over 2,000 types of affordable medicines and 300+ surgical products are available
BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri also spent Jan Aushadhi Diwas at a center, interacting with people who were benefiting from the scheme. During his visit to the AIIMS campus, he met customers who expressed satisfaction with the affordable and quality medicines they were able to buy.

Celebrating Jan Aushadhi Diwas

Every year, March 7 is observed as Jan Aushadhi Diwas to raise awareness about the importance of generic medicines and the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The celebrations are part of a week-long campaign from March 1-7, featuring various awareness programs across the country.

With these new Jan Aushadhi Kendras, Delhi's residents-especially those struggling with the high costs of healthcare-will soon have better access to affordable medicines and essential healthcare products.