Guwahati: The central government’s decision to rename its healthcare programme Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) is facing resistance from the Northeastern states of Mizoram and Nagaland.
Both the states have stated that most of the population in their state is Christian and hence renaming the health centres as mandirs ‘may foster adverse sentiments.’
The centre had communicated to all the states and union territories last year about the renaming of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre.
These health centres are now known as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, having the tagline “Arogyam Parmam Dhanam” (health is the greatest wealth).
This change was first communicated to the states in November 2023, via a letter from the Mission Director of the National Health Mission, L S Changsan.
In January 2024, the Principal Secretary of Mizoram Esther Lal Ruatkimi wrote to the then Union Health Secretary for an exemption. “I would like to express my concern regarding the instructions for rebranding existing Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM).”
“As you are aware, Mizoram is a Christian state with more than 90% of the population identifying as Christian. It is felt that in order to continue to garner public support for public health activities for health promotion, this rebranding may foster adverse sentiments among the populace towards the government. I, therefore, request you to kindly exempt Mizoram from this activity,” Ruatkimi added.
After not getting any response for a month, in February 2024 Mizoram once again wrote to the Centre but has still not received any response.
In March, Nagaland’s V Kezo, state’s commission and secretary, Health and Family Welfare wrote to the Centre that renaming ‘is likely to attract strong objections from the Church and Civil Societies.’