A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) highlighted significant issues in Delhi’s medical infrastructure during the COVID crisis, revealing under-utilization of central funds, staff shortages, and long surgery wait times. The AAP government reportedly used only Rs 582.84 crore of Rs 787.91 crore allocated for COVID, leaving critical resources unspent. The report criticized the lack of hospital beds and manpower, noting 101-189% occupancy rates and substantial shortages of doctors and nurses. Additionally, many ‘mohalla’ clinics faced severe deficiencies, with some lacking essential facilities. The report sparked contentious debate in the Assembly amid ongoing political tensions.
New Delhi:
A review of the medical infrastructure in Delhi reveals a significant lack of utilization of funds allocated by the central government during the COVID crisis, a critical shortage of personnel, and extensive waiting periods for major surgeries, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) presented in the Assembly on Friday.
The seven-page CAG report – part of a series that the ruling BJP intends to unveil in the House as evidence of corruption by the previous AAP government – highlighted the “dire condition” of ‘mohalla‘ clinics, one of the key initiatives from the prior administration.
The CAG criticized these shortcomings, including insufficient doctors and nurses, inadequate funding for maternal health programs, ambulances lacking essential equipment, and the absence of intensive care units (ICUs), labeling them as “deliberate inaction towards a severe shortage of medical infrastructure…”
What Does CAG Report Say
The report notes that the AAP government utilized Rs 582.84 crore of the Rs 787.91 crore provided by the central government during the COVID pandemic, leaving Rs 205.07 crore unspent. This unused amount included Rs 30.52 crore intended for human resources, indicating ‘under-payment to, and lower deployment of, staff’.
An additional Rs 119.95 crore was allocated for medicines and medical supplies, including PPE (personal protective equipment), crucial for doctors and nurses treating COVID patients. A widespread shortage of PPE was reported during the pandemic.
Of this allocated amount, only Rs 83.14 crore was ultimately utilized, the CAG report stated.
‘Not Enough Beds, Staff’
The report highlighted that the AAP government did not effectively use the budget to increase hospital beds; between 2016/17 and 2020/21, provisions were made for 32,000 beds, yet only 1,357 were added.
Occupancy rates reached an astonishing 101 percent to 189 percent, according to the CAG.
The shortage of beds was compounded by a “significant shortage of manpower in the public health sector,” with the report claiming a shortfall of over 2,000 staff across five institutions, including Lok Nayak Hospital and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, a pediatric facility.
In two other hospitals – Janakpuri and Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospitals – there was a 50 percent shortage of doctors, 73 percent of nursing staff, and at least 17 percent of paramedics.
Additionally, specialist doctors were reported to be unavailable at the trauma center in Lok Nayak.
‘Waiting Times For Surgeries’
Patients requiring major surgeries, particularly for burn injuries, face waits of at least six months at Lok Nayak, while those at Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya must wait up to 12 months.
Furthermore, the CAG report indicated that 14 of the 27 audited hospitals lacked an ICU, 16 did not have blood banks, and 12 did not possess ambulances.
‘No Toilets In Mohalla Clinics’
The CAG also criticized the earlier AAP government’s prominent ‘mohalla‘ clinics initiative, noting that 21 clinics did not have bathrooms, 15 lacked power back-up, and 12 were not accessible for individuals with disabilities.
BJP vs AAP On Auditors’ Reports
The report is set to be presented after 2 pm, and chaos is expected in the House as the beleaguered AAP MLAs react. The early days of this Assembly session – the first since the BJP’s significant election victory this month – have already been marked by intense debates.
READ | “Injustice To Opposition”: Atishi On AAP MLAs’ Suspension
Before today’s session, AAP leaders staged a demonstration outside the Assembly protesting the suspension of 21 lawmakers earlier this week. Former Chief Minister Atishi, now serving as the Leader of the Opposition, sent a letter to Speaker Vijender Gupta to express concern over the “severe blow to democratic values”.
On Tuesday, during the discussion of the report concerning the alleged liquor excise policy scam – linked to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s imprisonment last year – there was a commotion as opposition MLAs protested the relocation of photographs in the Chief Minister’s office.