New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS): The Delhi government should focus on improving the city's existing 228 primary healthcare facilities instead of setting up new clinics, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said here on Wednesday.

Issuing a notice returnable in four weeks to the principal secretary of the health department, the NHRC while welcoming the plan to set up 1,000 'Aam Aadmi Clinics' said the existing healthcare infrastructure in the city should be made functional first.

Stating that the city government had failed to revive the 228 existing primary health centres which are struggling to provide basic health services due to shortage of doctors, para-medical staff, medicines and laboratory facilities, the NHRC said, "the total 79 centres are operating from rented premises".

"It is of paramount importance that the existing healthcare infrastructure in the city is made functional in all respects and put to optimum use so that people of Delhi are provided basic healthcare facilities in their neighbourhood," it added.

"This will also in a way, reduce the overcrowding in big hospitals of the city, since people can avail these primary health centres for their primary healthcare needs," it added.

The NHRC issued the notice after taking suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government's decision to open 1,000 'Aam Aadmi Clinics' across the city.