Punjab to Launch 200 More Aam Aadmi Clinics, WhatsApp Chatbot Introduced for Patient Support

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Sunday that the state government will soon open 200 more Aam Aadmi Clinics, increasing the total number of such clinics to 1,081 across the state. This move is part of the government's commitment to strengthening public healthcare and making quality medical services accessible to all.

The announcement was made during a function marking the launch of a new WhatsApp Chatbot service for the existing 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics. Speaking at the event, CM Mann described it as a historic moment for Punjab’s healthcare sector. “It is a historic day in the healthcare sector of Punjab as a total of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state have been connected to a WhatsApp Chatbot,” he said.

Mann highlighted that these clinics already serve around 70,000 patients daily, and integrating them with WhatsApp will make healthcare even more efficient and patient-friendly. “In today’s digital age, the WhatsApp Chatbot will be most beneficial for patients,” he added.

According to the Chief Minister, about 90% of Punjabis own smartphones, which means the government can now reach patients directly through WhatsApp. Through the chatbot, patients will receive health updates, doctor’s prescriptions, lab test reports, and even reminders for follow-up appointments.

Special focus will also be given to providing regular updates for senior citizens with chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as for pregnant women and newborns.

“This will remove the burden of storing physical reports and prescriptions, as patients can now access all their medical records digitally through WhatsApp,” Mann explained. He added that the platform will also enable patients to share their health information instantly with family members or other doctors for second opinions.

The Health Department will maintain a digital database of all patients, including their diagnoses and treatment history, helping to streamline future care.

CM Mann also emphasized that Punjab is the first state in India to implement the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana’, offering free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh per family.

He criticized previous governments for ignoring the health sector, saying their inaction had left many patients in rural areas hesitant to seek treatment due to high costs. "People were scared to get treated because they didn’t want to push their families into debt," he said.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment, Mann said, “It is the duty of governments to provide quality health services free of cost, and we are fulfilling this responsibility with dedication.”

During the event, he also invited the World Health Organization (WHO) team visiting Punjab to tour Aam Aadmi Clinics and share their observations and feedback.