Baseline Assessment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Almora District, Uttarakhand: Infrastructure, Service Delivery, and Community Engagement

This paper presents a baseline assessment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) in Almora district, Uttarakhand, under the Ayushman Bharat Programme. The study evaluates 53 operational AAMs using a mixed-method cross-sectional design comprising structured surveys, interviews, and field observations. While most AAMs organize wellness sessions and community outreach events, substantial gaps remain in essential medicine availability, diagnostics, and digital infrastructure. Approximately 62% of centres operate from rented buildings, and about one-fourth lack reliable electricity or water supply. Maternal and non-communicable disease (NCD) service coverage show moderate progress, but teleconsultation and diagnostic continuity remain limited. Encouragingly, community engagement through Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs), health melas, and wellness sessions demonstrates strong local participation. The findings highlight the need for infrastructure upgrades, regular supply-chain mechanisms, and strengthened community-based monitoring for achieving equitable primary healthcare in mountainous regions. The study contributes to the evidence base for improving Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) systems in resource-constrained geographies globally.