Chandigarh— The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is set to introduce a groundbreaking pilot project to open Aam Aadmi Clinics inside Central Jails. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive healthcare, including crucial mental health support, to inmates as part of a holistic reform strategy.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that while treating physical ailments is important, equal focus must be given to mental health. “We recognise that many inmates are mentally disturbed, which may have contributed to their criminal behavior. Reforming their mental state is key to their rehabilitation,” he stated.
Referring to jails as ‘Sudhar Ghars’ or reform homes, Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized that real justice lies in transforming individuals, not merely punishing them. “When an inmate leaves the jail, they should be healthy in both body and mind. This holistic approach aligns with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of a ‘Rangla Punjab’,” he added.
The minister announced that psychologists and psychiatrists will be deployed in these jail-based Aam Aadmi Clinics to provide specialized psychosocial counselling and therapy to inmates.
The initiative follows the remarkable success of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics operating across Punjab. Since their launch on August 15, 2022, these clinics have provided free medical treatment to over 4.20 crore people and conducted more than 2.29 crore diagnostic tests at no cost.
Each clinic offers 107 types of free medicines and 47 categories of free diagnostic tests, including advanced screenings for pregnancy, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and Dengue. Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted that this expansion marks another step toward ensuring equitable healthcare access for every section of society — even those behind bars.
