The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Delhi’s healthcare system has found serious problems in money management, negligence, and lack of responsibility over the past six years. The report, presented in the Delhi Assembly today, shows major issues like a shortage of medical equipment and staff, poor conditions in mohalla clinics, and failure to use emergency funds properly.

What report says

Many hospitals lack essential medical services: A report found that several hospitals in Delhi do not have important medical facilities. Out of 27 hospitals, 14 do not have ICU facilities, and 16 do not have blood banks. Oxygen supply is missing in 8 hospitals, and 15 hospitals do not have a mortuary. Also, 12 hospitals are running without ambulance services.

Mohalla clinics and AYUSH dispensaries in poor condition: Many Mohalla clinics do not have basic facilities like toilets, power backup, and check-up tables. Similar problems were found in AYUSH dispensaries.

Severe shortage of healthcare workers: Delhi hospitals are struggling with a lack of staff. There is a 21% shortage of nurses, and a 38% shortage of paramedics, and some hospitals have a 50-96% shortage of doctors and nurses.

Hospital facilities not being used: Important medical facilities like operation theatres, ICU beds, and private rooms are lying unused at Rajiv Gandhi and Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospitals. Trauma centers also lack specialist doctors for emergency care.

Covid emergency funds not fully used: Out of ₹787.91 crore allocated for Covid-19 response, only ₹582.84 crore was spent. ₹30.52 crore meant for healthcare workers was left unspent, and ₹83.14 crore meant for essential medicines and PPE kits was not used.

Hospital bed shortage: Out of the promised 32,000 new hospital beds, only 1,357 (4.24%) were added. Some hospitals are overcrowded, with bed occupancy rates between 101% and 189%, forcing patients to lie on the floor.

Delays and rising costs in hospital projects: Several hospital projects have been delayed by 3-6 years, leading to extra costs of ₹382.52 crore. Hospitals like Indira Gandhi Hospital, Burari Hospital, and MA Dental Ph-II have been badly affected.

Long waiting times for surgeries: At Lok Nayak Hospital, patients wait 2-3 months for general surgeries and 6-8 months for burns and plastic surgeries. CNBC Hospital has a 12-month waiting period for pediatric surgeries.

CAG’s second report in the Assembly

This will be the second CAG report presented in the Delhi Assembly. Earlier, on Tuesday, CM Rekha Gupta tabled the CAG report on the Delhi Excise Policy.

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