2,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs closed in Punjab as health officers declare indefinite strike

Over 2,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across Punjab have been shut down indefinitely as Community Health Officers (CHOs) launched a statewide strike starting June 22, 2026, protesting against what they call long-standing government neglect and unfavorable policies. This major disruption in primary healthcare services stems from core demands including 'Equal Work, Equal Wages' for National Health Mission (NHM) employees and the immediate scrapping of a new performance-based incentive system. The Novel Integrated Association of Community Health Officers (NAICHO) in Punjab, led by state cashier Dr Shivraj Singh, emphasized their crucial role in state health programs, accusing the government of ignoring repeated pleas for better pay, loyalty bonuses, and cadre regularisation. This isn't an isolated incident; Punjab healthcare sector has seen previous strikes from nursing staff in September 2025 and doctors in September 2024 over similar demands for improved working conditions and pay. The underlying tension also includes a historical tug-of-war between the Central Government of India and the state over Ayushman Bharat funding, with Punjab having launched its own 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana' in January 2026 amid complaints of central delays and disputes over rebranding health centers as Aam Aadmi Clinics. With thousands of health centers now non-operational, the indefinite strike poses a significant challenge to public health delivery, particularly for rural and vulnerable populations relying on these facilities. The state government is under immense pressure to engage with NAICHO to resolve these deep-seated grievances, or risk a prolonged health crisis. Future developments will likely hinge on the Punjab government's willingness to address the CHOs' demands, potentially impacting the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections as health services become a critical electoral issue.