Kerala refuses to rename NHM centres as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs even as Union government withholds funds

“However, the state government cannot accept this, as the rural public in Kerala may not comprehend a name that is foreign to their language and culture,” she added.

Also read: Why change Ayushman Centres to ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’?

Blame on Union govt

This refusal comes amid accusations from the Kerala government that the Union government was withholding funds for several schemes.

George accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led dispensation of refusing to release the Central funds for the scheme.

“At first, the Union government denied the funds, demanding the co-branding of the centres. We agreed to their demands and included six symbols provided by the Union government on the boards of the centres constructed one or two years ago. However, now they are stating that the funds will be issued only after they are renamed Ayushman Arogya Mandirs,” George said.

She said all NHM works had been severely affected since the Union Health Ministry did not release funds.

The state is currently managing the scheme with its share of funds allocated to the NHM programme by the state government, she added.

Also Read: Amrit kaal is not tenable without Amrit Arogya, says expert on health budget

‘People are suffering’

The minister further said that the salaries of Asha Workers — with Kerala having the highest number — were also affected.

She said they were receiving only their share from the state government, and not the Central-government component of their salaries.

Similarly, funds for providing peritoneal dialysis to patients have not been disbursed by the Union government, and the state is supposed to receive ₹7 crore, she said

George highlighted the repercussions: “This has severely impacted all NHM works. The state is struggling to manage with its own funds, affecting the salaries of Asha workers and disrupting critical services like peritoneal dialysis.”

Also read: Kerala CM begins reviews of Nava Kerala Sadas recommendations

The rationale behind renaming

Dr KR Antony, a public health professional, questioned the rationale behind the renaming, saying: “Changing names does not translate to a revolution in healthcare. The functionality of Health and Wellness Centres remains unaffected. This seems more like a symbolic imposition than a practical improvement.”

Issued on 25 November, the Union Health Ministry’s directive asked states to implement the renaming with specific guidelines, sparking debates over its necessity and cost, estimated to be around ₹50 crore.

Critics like Dr Arun Gupta, convenor of the Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), see this as a futile expenditure: “Renaming does not equate to improved healthcare. The intent and decision-making process behind this move should be transparent.”

The use of “mandir”, a term linked with Hinduism, in public health facilities has also raised concerns about secularism and inclusivity.

“Is the government associating health with religious connotations? How comfortable will people of other faiths feel accessing a facility named ‘mandir’?” Gupta added.

Experts worry that this renaming, ahead of the 2024 general elections, might be a political strategy, allowing the ruling party to claim undue credit for public health facilities managed by state governments.