Pankaj Kumar Singh reviews hospital preparedness for monsoon season
New Delhi: Government hospitals in the national capital have been directed to ensure adequate availability of medicines, maintain preparedness for monsoon-related diseases and not close OPDs or medicine dispensing counters before scheduled timings.
The directions were issued by Health Minister Pankaj Singh on Wednesday while chairing a review meeting with medical superintendents and medical directors of all government hospitals. According to an official statement, the minister assessed medicine stocks, hospital infrastructure, human resources, patient services and monsoon preparedness.
According to the PTI report, the minister said, "The Delhi Government is fully committed to ensuring that every Government hospital remains prepared to meet the healthcare needs of citizens, particularly during the monsoon season. We have directed all hospitals to maintain uninterrupted availability of essential medicines, strengthen emergency preparedness and promptly address any operational gaps".
The minister reviewed the availability of medicines, consumables and surgical items and was informed that hospitals were maintaining more than 90 per cent availability of medicines and surgical items.
While expressing satisfaction over the stock position, Singh directed hospital heads to immediately report any shortage of medicines to his office for timely intervention.
He said premature closure of OPDs or medicine dispensing counters before notified timings would not be tolerated and instructed hospitals to ensure uninterrupted patient services.
In view of the ongoing monsoon season, Singh directed hospitals to procure medicines locally, wherever necessary, to avoid disruptions in patient care and asked them to remain prepared for a possible rise in dengue, chikungunya, malaria and other water-borne diseases.
He also instructed hospitals to maintain adequate stocks of medicines and consumables, strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure sufficient ICU and operational bed availability to handle any increase in patient admissions.
The minister reviewed the status of nearly 18,000 beds across Delhi government hospitals and directed hospital administrations to assess future requirements, particularly in maternity and emergency wards, and submit proposals for additional beds wherever needed.
Singh reviewed the progress of new hospital blocks and directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to expedite pending construction, repair and renovation works, especially those related to dilapidated buildings.
He instructed hospitals to maintain sanitation and hygiene standards and report any shortage of radiologists so that steps could be taken to strengthen diagnostic services.
The minister also directed medical superintendents to inspect hospital premises, identify infrastructure and maintenance issues and submit reports for early resolution in coordination with the PWD.
The meeting also reviewed hospital infrastructure, information technology systems, inter-departmental coordination, emergency medical services and the progress of ABHA ID generation.
Singh directed hospitals to submit reports every 15 days on ABHA ID registrations, pending PWD issues and other operational matters requiring intervention.
