Delhi Healthcare- Here are 7 shortcomings listed by CAG report

Further, the report revealed that between 2016 and 2023, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) failed to effectively utilize its allocated budget for Mohalla clinics and that the Government missed its own target of setting up 1000 clinics by March 31, 2017. The Government managed to set up only 523 clinics by March 31, 2023.

(2) Deficiencies in Ayush Dispensaries: 

Apart from the deficiencies in Mohalla clinics, the CAG report also highlighted the inadequate infrastructure in the Ayush Dispensaries across Delhi. Reportedly, 17 out of 49 Ayush dispensaries had no power back-up, seven had no toilets and 14 did not have facilities for drinking water, Daily Pioneer has reported.

(3) Hospitals Lacking Critical Services: 

The CAG report revealed that several Delhi hospitals are facing a severe shortage of critical medical services. It noted that out of the 27 hospitals in Delhi, ICU facilities are not available at 14 hospitals, blood banks are absent in 16 hospitals, eight hospitals do not have oxygen supply, 15 do not have a mortuary and 12 hospitals are operating without ambulance services.

As per the report, the patients sometimes had to wait long time for surgery. In the case of Lok Nayak Hospital, the patients have to wait 2-3 months for general surgeries while for burn and plastic surgeries, the waiting period is 6-8 months. At the CNBC Hospital, there is a 12-month waiting period for pediatric surgeries, India Today has reported.

(4) Shortage of Healthcare Workers: 

A huge shortage of healthcare workers has also been reported in the Delhi hospitals. The report revealed that there is a 21 per cent shortage of nurses, 38 percent shortage of paramedics, and a 50-96 percent shortage of doctors and nurses in some hospitals.

(5) Critical Hospital Facilities Lying Unused: 

It was observed in the report that operation theatres, ICU beds, and private rooms remained unused at Rajiv Gandhi and Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospitals, while on the other hand, the trauma centers lack specialist doctors for emergency care.

(6) Covid Emergency Funds Not Utilised: 

The CAG report revealed that even though Rs 787.91 crore was allocated as a COVID-19 response, only Rs 582.84 crore was utilized. Meanwhile, the fund of Rs 30.52 crore, allocated for healthcare workers remained unspent and Rs 83.14 crore allocated for essential drugs and PPE kits went unused.

(7) Hospital Bed Capacity Not Expanded, Hospital Projects Delayed: 

While on the one hand, funds have not been properly used, the CAG report also highlighted that out of the promised 32,000 new hospital beds, only 1,357 (4.24 per cent) were added. Meanwhile, due to the occupancy rates of 101 per cent to 189 per cent, the patients were forced to lie on floors.

Major hospital projects faced delays of 3-6 years, with cost overruns amounting to Rs 382.52 crore. As a result, hospitals such as Indira Gandhi Hospital, Burari Hospital, and MA Dental Ph-II were significantly impacted.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also oversees the finance department, will present the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in the Delhi Assembly today, reports ANI.

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