ꦯIn a major revelation set to shape the debate on the capital’s healthcare system, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also oversees the Finance Department, will present the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on “Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services” in the Delhi Assembly on Friday.
ඣThis report, which will focus on the status of government hospitals and health services in Delhi for the year 2024, aims to shed light on the discrepancies between the claims made by the previous government and the ground realities in the healthcare sector. It marks the second time that a CAG report is being presented in the Assembly, after the tabling of the report on the Delhi Excise Policy earlier this week.
ܫThe CAG report will provide a comprehensive review of the state of government-run hospitals, mohalla clinics, and other health facilities under Delhi’s governance.
According to India Todayꦐ, the key findings of the report reveal serious gaps in critical medical services. Some of those are listed below –
Critical Services Missing in Many Hospitals𝔍: The report reveals alarming deficiencies in essential services across hospitals in the capital. Out of 27 hospitals reviewed, 14 are without ICU facilities, 16 lack blood banks, and eight hospitals do not have an oxygen supply. Furthermore, 15 hospitals are without a mortuary, and 12 hospitals have no ambulance services.
Infrastructure Deficiencies in Mohalla Clinics and AYUSH Dispensaries🐭: Many of the much-touted mohalla clinics, integral to the Delhi government's health initiatives, lack basic amenities like toilets, power backup, and check-up tables. Similar infrastructural shortcomings are noted in AYUSH dispensaries.
Acute Shortage of Healthcare Workers༺: The report paints a grim picture of the workforce shortage in Delhi's healthcare facilities, with a 21% shortfall in nurses, a 38% shortfall in paramedics, and an alarming 50-96% shortage of doctors and nurses in some hospitals.
Underutilisation of Critical Hospital Infrastructure❀: The report found that key facilities such as operation theatres, ICU beds, and private rooms remain underused in several hospitals, including Rajiv Gandhi and Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospitals. Additionally, trauma centers were found to be lacking specialist doctors for emergency care.
Non-utilization of Covid Emergency Funds: Despite a substantial allocation of Rs 787.91 crore for Covid-19 response, only Rs 582.84 crore was utilized. The report further revealed that Rs 30.52 crore earmarked for healthcare workers went unspent, while Rs 83.14 crore designated for essential drugs and PPE kits remained unused.
Failure to Expand Hospital Bed Capacity: While the government had promised to add 32,000 new hospital beds, only 1,357 beds were made available, representing just 4.24% of the promised expansion. Many hospitals are operating at full capacity, with occupancy rates as high as 101%-189%, often forcing patients to lie on the floor.
Delayed Hospital Projects and Cost Overruns: Several major hospital projects have been delayed by 3 to 6 years, with cost overruns amounting to Rs 382.52 crore. Hospitals such as Indira Gandhi Hospital, Burari Hospital, and MA Dental Ph-II have been significantly impacted by these delays.
Long Surgery Waiting Timesജ: Patients seeking surgeries in Delhi’s government hospitals are facing extended waiting periods. At Lok Nayak Hospital, patients wait 2-3 months for general surgeries and up to 6-8 months for burn and plastic surgeries. At CNBC Hospital, pediatric surgeries have a waiting period of up to 12 months.
🧔The CAG report is expected to reignite the ongoing political debate about Delhi’s healthcare services. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has long accused the previous Delhi government of making grand claims about healthcare improvements while failing to provide adequate services. Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh has already commented on the findings, stating, “The previous government was making big claims about health services, but the reality is something else. Everything will be revealed in the CAG report.”
🌞The report also addresses earlier criticisms of the Mohalla Clinic scheme, which has faced multiple allegations of a shortage of doctors, unavailability of medicines, and substandard treatment.
