14 Delhi hospitals without ICUs, mohalla clinics without toilets: CAG
What's the story
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Delhi's healthcare infrastructure has painted a grim picture of the system in the past six years.
According to the audit, of the 27 hospitals surveyed, 14 do not have intensive care unit (ICU) facilities and 16 do not have blood banks.
Eight hospitals function without an oxygen supply and 15 without a mortuary.
The report also noted that 12 hospitals are functioning without ambulance services.
Staffing shortages
Infrastructure and staffing issues plague Delhi's healthcare
The CAG report also highlighted infrastructure challenges faced by mohalla clinics and AYUSH dispensaries in the city.
Most of these facilities are devoid of basic amenities like toilets, power backup, and check-up tables.
Additionally, there is a severe shortage of healthcare workers across the board, with a 21% shortage of nurses and a staggering 38% shortage of paramedics.
Some hospitals function with a 50-96% shortage of doctors and nurses.
Fund mismanagement
Underutilization of resources and funds in Delhi hospitals
Furthermore, the CAG report highlighted underutilization of critical hospital infrastructure at Rajiv Gandhi and Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospitals.
Operation theaters, ICU beds, and private rooms lie unused as trauma centers do not have specialist doctors for emergency care.
The audit also observed that only ₹582.84 crore of ₹787.91 crore allocated for Covid-19 emergency response was utilized.
A total of ₹30.52 crore meant for healthcare workers lay unspent along with ₹83.14 crore earmarked for essential drugs and personal protective equipment kits.
Expansion failure
Delhi's healthcare expansion fails, hospital projects delayed
The CAG report also flagged a major failure in increasing hospital bed capacity in Delhi.
From the promised 32,000 new beds, only 1,357 were added, which is a mere 4.24% completion.
This has resulted in some hospitals reporting occupancy rates between 101% to 189%, compelling patients to lie on floors due to lack of space.
Major hospital projects have also been delayed by 3-6 years with cost overruns of ₹382.52 crore.
Patient woes
Long surgery waiting times, delayed hospital projects
Patients are facing long waiting times for surgeries at Lok Nayak Hospital and CNBC Hospital.
General surgeries wait two to three months at Lok Nayak Hospital, while burn and plastic surgeries take six to eight months.
Pediatric surgeries at CNBC Hospital have a wait time of up to 12 months.
This is the second CAG report to be presented in the assembly this week after the Delhi Excise Policy report tabled by CM Rekha Gupta on Tuesday.