Doctors allege mismanagement, recruitment Irregularities at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Urge Delhi LG, Health Minister to Investigate

New Delhi: Alleging mismanagement and recruitment irregularities are underway at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, doctors recently urged the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and Health Minister to order a comprehensive and transparent investigation at the hospital.

Writing to the Government officials, the doctors under the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) claimed that despite being terminated by a High-Level Committee, some administrative officers still work at the hospital. They also alleged that the eligibility condition for the post of Medical Officer was modified to favour certain candidates. Further, the association also highlighted issues like irregularities in the appointment process, shocking reduction in advertised faculty positions, financial mismanagement, non-functional operating theatres in the hospital, inadequate staff in major departments, etc.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the doctors demanded the Government's intervention to ensure that "RGSSH operates with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and efficiency."

No Action Against Terminated Administrative Officers: 

As per UDFA, the hospital did not advertise for certain positions. Due to this, nominated individuals were appointed and they are now making critical decisions despite being unqualified for those roles.

The association pointed out that a high-level committee had earlier recommended the termination of certain administrative officers more than a year ago citing irregularities in the recruitment process, highlighting the urgency for corrective action. However, allegedly, no action has been taken in this regard yet.

Referring to the appointments of Dr. Akashdeep Kumar and Dr. Piyush Kumar, the association claimed that these appointments are void ab initio as the prescribed process was not followed, and changes were made in the eligibility criteria in the Recruitment Rules, resulting in the irregular appointment of these Medical Officers.

"As their appointments are void ab initio, it is recommended that their services be terminated. The officers responsible for these lapses in the appointment process are the then Director, Dr. Sunil Kumar, and the then Administrative Officer, Dr. Ravinder Singh. Since these two officers are governed by CCS Rules, it is recommended that further appropriate action be taken against them," the association mentioned in the letter.

However, despite the recommendations of terminating those officers, they are allegedly still serving as Medical Officers at RGSSH. UDFA referred to this as the "blatant disregard for due process and the integrity of appointment decisions", and demanded urgent intervention from the Government.

Recruitment Criteria Modified to Favour Certain Candidates: 

Another issue that the association has pointed out in its letter is that shockingly the hospital modified the eligibility criteria for recruitment in the post of Medical Officers. Even though previously MBBS graduates were considered eligible for these positions, now the Master's in Hospital Administration degree has been made mandatory to be appointed as Medical Officers at the hospital.

Referring to the administration's decision to disqualify MBBS/MD/MS/DM/MCh graduates for Medical Officer positions based solely on the absence of a Master's in Hospital Administration (MHA) as "illogical and detrimental", the association claimed that this policy not only disregards the advanced medical expertise of such candidates but also jeopardizes patient care by excluding the most qualified professionals

UDFA also pointed out that making the MHA, which is a non-Medical degree, essential for the appointment in the post of Medical Officer violates the rules as no approval was taken from the Health Ministry, or this issue was never consulted with any recognized institutes such as the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the Delhi Medical Council (DMC).

The doctors claimed that the recruitment criteria was modified to suit specific candidates. Terming it "unacceptable", the association mentioned in the letter, "Tailoring qualifications to benefit particular individuals not only compromises the selection process but also undermines the principles of fairness and meritocracy."

Irregularities in Recruitment: 

Apart from this, the association also highlighted pervasive irregularities in the appointment processes at RGSSH. It referred to the appointment of Dr. Mona in the position of Deputy Director and claimed that the doctor was appointed without attending the mandatory interviews. 

Shocking Reduction in Faculty Positions: 

UDFA also referred to the significant reduction in advertised faculty positions from 84 in 2020 to 49 in 2024. It mentioned that this alarming reduction undermines the hospital's capacity to provide comprehensive care and suggests a deliberate attempt to favor certain individuals while disadvantaging others.

Apart from these, the association further referred to other irregularities such as financial mismanagement. It alleged that funds were mismanaged and audit queries were unaddressed. Further, UDFA highlighted that only limited number of operating theatres are operating in the hospital, which ultimately hampers its ability to provide adequate surgical care. "This operational inefficiency contradicts the hospital's mandate as a super-specialty institution and endangers patient lives," UDFA added in the letter.

Issues like inadequate number of faculty and staff in critical departments such as Cardiology and Biochemistry have also been highlighted by the association. Further, it referred to the administration's failure to address the findings of various audit and investigation reports. 

Commenting on these issues, the National General Secretary of UDFA, Dr. Arun Kumar told Medical Dialogues, "RGSSH is in disarray with 81 out of 83 administrative posts vacant, revealing systemic corruption and Criteria were changed to favor terminated doctors, who are still working and withdrawing salaries. Who is supporting this? Is the Director involved?"

Pointing out that the number of Medical Officer posts have decreased from 8 to 4 and in total 84 to 49, he added, "There were 10 posts of medical officers that were sanctioned. RGSSH is working without any emergency medical officers and medical officers in other clinical areas. How all these 10 posts were converted to administrative posts when in fact separate posts were created for administration which were never advertised. Who changed the recruitment rules? And how were they changed. Who authorised the change?"

UDFA has demanded the Government's intervention in this regard. It mentioned in the letter, "We earnestly request a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the recruitment and management practices at RGSSH. We urge the implementation of corrective measures to restore the hospital's integrity, enhance its operational efficiency, and rebuild trust among its staff and the public."