Key Highlights

• ASHA pay doubled: Monthly honorarium for Delhi's 6,690 ASHA workers rises from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000.
• Newborn screening: Free screening for 56 health conditions in newborns under the expanded ANMOL scheme.
• Organ transplants: A State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) centre launched at GB Pant Hospital.
• Nursing homes: A new online portal aims to make nursing home processes simpler and more transparent.
• Occasion: Launched under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at the ASHA Conference-2026.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday launched a set of healthcare initiatives at the ASHA Conference-2026 at Thyagaraj Stadium, under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh was also present.

What Was Launched

Why It Matters: Investing in the Frontline

ASHA workers are the first point of contact with the health system for many families, especially in low-income neighbourhoods. They support pregnant women, newborns and door-to-door health services. Doubling their honorarium recognises that role.

The numbers show the scale. The increase adds ₹3,000 a month, or ₹36,000 a year, for each ASHA worker. Across 6,690 workers, that is about ₹24 crore in extra annual support, taking the total annual honorarium to roughly ₹48 crore.

"This will provide financial support to Delhi's 6,690 ASHA sisters and further strengthen door-to-door health services," the Chief Minister said.

Catching Problems Early

The newborn screening initiative could have a long-term impact. Under the expanded ANMOL scheme, screening for 56 conditions in newborns is now free, which the CM said makes early identification and treatment possible. Many conditions in newborns are far easier to manage when detected early, and free screening removes cost as a barrier for families.

Organ Donation Gets a Hub

The new SOTTO centre at GB Pant Hospital is meant to improve coordination across the organ donation and transplant process. "Now, there will be better coordination in the entire process of organ donation and transplantation, enabling timely assistance to reach patients in need," Gupta said.

Transparency for Nursing Homes

The Nursing Home Management System Portal aims to make processes related to nursing homes simpler, more transparent and accountable.

Part of a Larger Campaign

The launches are part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long campaign running until October 17, under which the Delhi government is rolling out several initiatives, including the recently launched Delhi Udyog Mitra Portal for business approvals.

The Bottom Line

From doubling pay for frontline health workers to free newborn screening, Delhi's latest health package targets both the people who deliver care and the families who need it most.

With inputs from IANS.

Key Highlights

• ASHA pay doubled: Monthly honorarium for Delhi's 6,690 ASHA workers rises from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000.
• Newborn screening: Free screening for 56 health conditions in newborns under the expanded ANMOL scheme.
• Organ transplants: A State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) centre launched at GB Pant Hospital.
• Nursing homes: A new online portal aims to make nursing home processes simpler and more transparent.
• Occasion: Launched under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at the ASHA Conference-2026.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday launched a set of healthcare initiatives at the ASHA Conference-2026 at Thyagaraj Stadium, under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh was also present.

What Was Launched

Why It Matters: Investing in the Frontline

ASHA workers are the first point of contact with the health system for many families, especially in low-income neighbourhoods. They support pregnant women, newborns and door-to-door health services. Doubling their honorarium recognises that role.

The numbers show the scale. The increase adds ₹3,000 a month, or ₹36,000 a year, for each ASHA worker. Across 6,690 workers, that is about ₹24 crore in extra annual support, taking the total annual honorarium to roughly ₹48 crore.

"This will provide financial support to Delhi's 6,690 ASHA sisters and further strengthen door-to-door health services," the Chief Minister said.

Catching Problems Early

The newborn screening initiative could have a long-term impact. Under the expanded ANMOL scheme, screening for 56 conditions in newborns is now free, which the CM said makes early identification and treatment possible. Many conditions in newborns are far easier to manage when detected early, and free screening removes cost as a barrier for families.

Organ Donation Gets a Hub

The new SOTTO centre at GB Pant Hospital is meant to improve coordination across the organ donation and transplant process. "Now, there will be better coordination in the entire process of organ donation and transplantation, enabling timely assistance to reach patients in need," Gupta said.

Transparency for Nursing Homes

The Nursing Home Management System Portal aims to make processes related to nursing homes simpler, more transparent and accountable.

Part of a Larger Campaign

The launches are part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long campaign running until October 17, under which the Delhi government is rolling out several initiatives, including the recently launched Delhi Udyog Mitra Portal for business approvals.

The Bottom Line

From doubling pay for frontline health workers to free newborn screening, Delhi's latest health package targets both the people who deliver care and the families who need it most.

With inputs from IANS.