Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, raising the total to 1,081. A new WhatsApp Chatbot launched to digitally connect clinics and patients with prescriptions, reports, and follow-up alerts, enhancing free healthcare access and service quality for over 70,000 daily beneficiaries in the state.
In a step towards strengthening public healthcare delivery, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced the opening of 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs), taking the total number of such clinics across the state to 1,081. The announcement was made during the inauguration ceremony of a dedicated WhatsApp Chatbot that will be linked to the already functional 881 clinics.
Calling it a “historic day in Punjab’s healthcare sector,” CM Mann emphasized that the government’s aim is to provide free, quality healthcare services to every citizen of the state. “The Aam Aadmi Clinics have transformed the primary health infrastructure in the state, and now we are making them smarter and more accessible with the launch of the WhatsApp Chatbot,” he said.
The Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab are currently catering to nearly 70,000 patients every day. The new WhatsApp Chatbot will allow patients to access doctor prescriptions, diagnostic test reports, and upcoming consultation reminders — all directly through their mobile phones. With an estimated 90% of Punjab’s population owning a smartphone, the initiative is expected to bring a transformative digital edge to healthcare delivery.
Key Features of the WhatsApp Chatbot:
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Patients will receive prescription slips and lab reports on WhatsApp.
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Automated reminders will be sent for follow-up consultations.
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Health tips and updates will be shared, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, newborns, and senior citizens with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
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A digital repository will be maintained for each patient, eliminating the need to physically store documents.
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Patients can also share their medical reports instantly with family or consult another doctor for second opinions.
CM Mann stressed the importance of accessible and dignified healthcare for all, saying that the previous governments failed to give the health sector due importance in their policies and manifestos. “There was a time when people in villages suffering from serious illnesses avoided treatment due to financial fears. We are determined to change that,” he asserted.
He added that the state is not just expanding infrastructure but also digitally empowering its citizens through technology. The introduction of WhatsApp-based services is expected to improve convenience, reduce treatment delays, and ensure continuity of care.
Additionally, Mann reiterated Punjab’s commitment to its flagship Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana, which provides free medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year. He proudly noted that Punjab is the first state in the country to implement such an ambitious healthcare insurance scheme.
The Chief Minister also extended an invitation to the visiting World Health Organization (WHO) delegation to tour the state’s health institutions and Aam Aadmi Clinics. “We look forward to their feedback and expertise in further improving our model,” Mann said.
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He concluded by reaffirming his government’s dedication to public health and stated that the new clinics will be operational soon to ensure that no citizen in Punjab is deprived of medical treatment due to lack of access or affordability.
With the addition of these 200 clinics and the launch of the WhatsApp Chatbot, Punjab is steadily moving toward a more inclusive, technology-driven healthcare model that can serve as a benchmark for other states.
