New Delhi: Days after releasing the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report on loss due to faulty excise policy, Delhi government is all set to table another report by the central auditing body about Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure in the state Assembly today.
The CAG report highlights mismanagement, shortage of equipment and healthcare staff in the hospitals of the national capital. The reports also points out poor condition of Mohalla Clinic, one of the most touted healthcare scheme by the previous Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
Lack of toilets and infrastructure in Mohalla Clinics and underutilisation of emergency funds are some of the other crucial issues highlighted in the report.
Here are some of the other points raised by the CAG reports on Delhi’s healthcare system:
Shortage of critical medical services: According to reports, the CAG has highlighted that out of 27 hospitals in Delhi, 14 lack ICU facilities, while 16 do not have blood banks. The report also says that about 12 hospitals are operating without ambulance services.
Mohalla clinics and AYUSH dispensaries in poor condition: Several Mohalla clinics lack basic facilities like toilets and check-up tables. Similar mismanagement was also seen at AYUSH dispensaries.
Shortage of healthcare staff: Almost all hospitals in Delhi battle alarming staff shortage – 21 per cent shortage of nurses, 38 per cent paramedics, about 50-96 per cent doctors and nurses.
Underutilisation of Covid funds: Only Rs 582.84 crore of the Rs 787.91 crore allocated for Covid was used. About Rs 30.52 crore fund for healthcare workers remained unutilised.
Long wait for surgery, many machines defunct-
• At Lok Nayak Hospital, patients had to wait 2-3 months for major surgeries and 6-8 months for burn and plastic surgeries.
• At Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya (CNBC), the waiting time for pediatric surgeries stretched to 12 months.
• Several X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound machines remained non-functional at hospitals like CNBC, RGSSH, and JSSH.
