North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal has expressed serious concern over the alarming findings of a recent Punjab government survey revealing that one in every ten patients visiting Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) did not receive prescribed medicines, despite the state’s claims of providing free and accessible healthcare.
Chahal said the survey—covering 18,256 patients across 442 clinics—exposes a troubling gap between government announcements and ground reality. According to the report, 11% of patients were unable to obtain essential medicines, while districts such as Amritsar, Patiala, and Gurdaspur recorded even higher shortages.
He further noted that the revelation of inflated patient records and suspected fake entries, allegedly linked to incentive‑based targets for contractual doctors, raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in Punjab’s healthcare system.
“When the government promotes these clinics as a model of public welfare, it becomes even more important to ensure honesty, efficiency, and uninterrupted supply of medicines,” Chahal stated.
“The people of Punjab deserve healthcare that is reliable—not just on paper, but in real life.”
Chahal urged the Punjab government to conduct independent audits, ensure strict monitoring, and take immediate corrective action to prevent further lapses. He emphasized that public health cannot be compromised for administrative convenience or political promotion.
While acknowledging the government’s announcement of 243 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, Chahal stressed that expansion without fixing existing flaws will only multiply the problems.
“Before opening new clinics, the government must ensure that the current ones are functioning properly. Medicine shortages and fake entries are unacceptable in any healthcare system,” he added.
NAPA reaffirmed its commitment to raising issues that affect the welfare, safety, and rights of Punjabis worldwide.