Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda visited the Rural Health Training Center (RHTC), Najafgarh and Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Palam, today. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from South Delhi and Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from West Delhi was also present.

Shri Nadda interacted with patients and medical staff in both the health centres. He also planted a sapling in both the campuses under the “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” initiative.

The Union Health Minister also reviewed the progress report of RHTC and approved the retention of PHCs at Najafgarh, Ujwa, and Palam under Government of India and directed NQAS & IPHS certification within 3 months and full operationalization of the RHTC hospital within 6 months. Emphasizing skill development, he highlighted RHTC’s role as a model for integrated primary, secondary, AYUSH, and training services and assured the support of the Centre in augmenting the health facilities of the institute.

Background:

The Rural Health Training Center (RHTC) in Najafgarh, New Delhi under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has been serving as a key institution for primary and secondary healthcare, along with skill development in the field of health. Established in 1937 as a health centre and upgraded over the years across 3 campus (Najafgarh, Palam and Ujwa), the RHTC is now being developed as a model integrated centre for Primary, Secondary, AYUSH, and Skill Development and in future Tertiary care.

Najafgarh is set to witness a significant transformation in healthcare services with the expansion of primary services, already introduced secondary health care services. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) will be NQAS accredited reinforcing Government's commitment to deliver standardized, high-quality healthcare services at doorstep.

To bridge the gap between primary and tertiary healthcare, RHTC Hospital has been developed as a 183-bedded general hospital. It is a unique healthcare setting providing primary, secondary care and AYUSH services are provided in the same campus at present. This hospital is poised to deliver quality medical treatment, emergency care, and specialized healthcare interventions, ensuring that residents have access to advanced medical facilities closer to home.

RHTC is embracing IT-enabled healthcare solutions under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to create a digitally empowered healthcare ecosystem, enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centric care.

To support the growing healthcare infrastructure, significant efforts are being made in skill development and training. The existing ANM School will be upgraded to develop world class frontline healthcare workers. The ANM course started in 1985 with 20 students per batch, diploma course for girls. An ANM school building was also established in 1985. As on date, 44 students are selected annually, totaling 88 students at a time. RHTC conducts online combined entrance exam every year for RHTC (44) & Lady Reading Health School (LRHS) (44), in 2024, 672 children applied for 88 seats. Post of principal & 8 Sister tutor being created for ANM school. 

The curriculum of Nursing requires mandatory rural community posting. RHTC with rural setup, a dedicated community and subcenters fulfills the norms of Delhi Nursing Council for compulsory Internship Program. The courses for which nursing interns come to RHTC and its various branches are ANMs, GNMs, B.Sc. Nursing and M. Sc. Nursing.  A total of 19 colleges with 2821 students were provided internship at RHTC in all its AAM & its community through subcentres.

The strengthening of primary, secondary, and AYUSH services in one campus of Najafgarh reflects a strong commitment of Government of India to public health and community well-being. The initiative of integrating Allopathic facilities, Indigenous AYUSH system with skill development programs, aims to strengthen healthcare accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and create a robust medical workforce for the future.

These facilities will hugely improve the accessibility and availability of the healthcare facilities in and around the Najafgarh area covering people of adjoining districts from Delhi and Haryana.

Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary; Dr. Manashvi Kumar, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry; Dr G Kausalya, Director, RHTC and senior officers of the Union Health Ministry were present at the event.

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HFW/HFM visit to RHTC and AAM/03March2025/1

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