The social media handles of Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including the Twitter account of of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, went into overdrive on Friday to celebrate the visit to a mohalla clinic by an international delegation, whose members included former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
Ban and Gro Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister of Norway, visited the Peeragarhi mohalla clinic and a polyclinic in Paschim Vihar. The duo were visiting the sites as part of their work for The Elders, an international NGO consisting of senior statesmen and human rights activists working to promote peace, justice and human rights across the world.
"I've been to different parts of world, what I saw today, is the best & systematic form health care in form of Mohalla Clinics & Polyclinics."- Ban Ki Moon, Former UN Secy General & @TheElders Delegate. pic.twitter.com/wNhw1JKq2a
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) September 7, 2018
Referring to their visit to the mohalla clinic, Ban said, “I am deeply impressed by what I have seen.” Ban was accompanied by Kejriwal and Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, a senior leader of the AAP. Brundtland called for replicating the mohalla clinic model across the country. Brundtland, a medical doctor, had also served as director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
From promoting the visit of Ban and Brundtland early on Friday, AAP's official Twitter handle posted multiple videos and photographs of The Elders' visit. This included photographs of Kejriwal and other AAP leaders having dinner with the delegation members on Thursday.
Statements by Ban were tweeted by AAP's handle and retweeted by Kejriwal and other AAP ministers and office-bearers. Ban said, “CM Arvind Kejriwal has great vision when it's about primary healthcare. I deeply appreciate it.” He also added, “I've been to different parts of world, what I saw today, is the best and systematic form of healthcare in form of mohalla clinics and polyclinics.”
A video of a Delhi resident thanking Kejriwal in the presence of Ban and Brundtland for “quality health services” at the government-run clinics was shared by AAP.
Del govt grateful to forrmer UN Secy Gen Sh Ban ki Moon n former PM of Norway Mrs Harlem for visiting Moh Clinic n Polyclinic. They were impressed how quality healthcare was being provided to poor ppl. Del health model being appreciated across the world. A proud moment for India https://t.co/RUmhm54LO1
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 7, 2018
Kejriwal tweeted that the endorsement from Ban and Brundtland was a “proud moment for India”.
Good work speaks for itself & the world has been listening. Every move of AAP Govt has been towards democratising basic services to improve quality of life not for a few but for all. Glad to see leaders of countries with solid public welfare systems appreciate our initiative. https://t.co/TdBLYHK72d
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) September 7, 2018
Raghav Chadha, a national spokesperson and national executive member of the AAP, was one of several party leaders who tweeted on the visit of Ban and Brundtland. He wrote, “Good work speaks for itself & the world has been listening. Every move of AAP Govt has been towards democratising basic services to improve quality of life not for a few but for all. Glad to see leaders of countries with solid public welfare systems appreciate our initiative.”
The mohalla clinics have been a key part of the experiment by AAP to revitalise Delhi's civic services for the benefit of lower-income groups, along with the Kejriwal government's emphasis on modernising state-run schools. In January 2017, The Elders had appreciated the work of the AAP's mohalla clinics with Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan, writing a letter to Kejriwal.
