What led to the closure of mini-clinics?

Inadequate planning, hasty implementation did the scheme in, say doctors and officials

Inadequate planning, hasty implementation without a gap analysis and the temporary nature of the scheme are all the reasons for the curtains to come down on the Amma mini-clinics in Tamil Nadu, a cross-section of government doctors and officials have said.

It was in December 2020 that the AIADMK government rolled out the scheme for people to have an easy access to healthcare facilities. A year later, the clinics have ceased to exist. According to a government order issued on December 31, 2021, 1,950 mini-clinics were established with medical officers and multi-purpose health workers, while the post of staff nurses could not be filled because of a stay order passed by the High Court.

The performance of the clinics has not reached to any substantial level, a review showed. Moreover, with the launch of ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’ and ‘Varumun Kappom Thittam’, the objective of the clinics has more than been achieved. A total of 4,448 health sub-centres were converted as health and wellness centres for the implementation of universal health coverage, the order said.