Conflict Between AAP and Lt Governor Regarding Shortage of Doctors in Delhi Government Hospitals

New Delhi:

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday accused Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s office of “propagating falsehood” and disregarding the severe shortage of medical personnel in the government hospitals of the capital.

In a forceful rebuttal to the accusation, Raj Niwas officials stated that a decade of mismanagement, masked by advertisements and propaganda, is starting to collapse.

“As the system crumbles, Press Conference Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj is desperately seeking excuses. The AAP’s health strategy is visible to all,” an official stated.

During a press conference, Mr Bharadwaj alleged that the LG is concealing behind his office and “indirectly spreading falsehoods to the public and the media”.

“I urge the LG not to hide behind his office and indirectly disseminate untruths to the public, but rather hold a press conference and instead of officials, pen down these falsehoods himself and present them to the media and the people of the nation so that appropriate action can be taken against him for his deceit,” he expressed.

He highlighted that the most impoverished individuals from the capital and neighboring states come to Delhi hospitals with the expectation of receiving sufficient medical care. However, due to the significant scarcity of doctors, nurses, paramedical personnel, lab technicians, OT technicians, etc. in Delhi’s hospitals, these underprivileged individuals are unable to receive adequate treatment, and this is allegedly being done deliberately as part of a conspiracy, Bharadwaj claimed.

Mr Bharadwaj, while revealing the letters penned by him previously to Mr Saxena regarding these vacancies, mentioned that he assumed the role of the health minister of Delhi in March 2023 and on April 19, 2023, wrote the initial letter to the LG, notifying him about the shortage of 292 general medical duty officers (GDMOs) and 234 specialists in Delhi government hospitals.

“No steps were taken to fill these vacancies; instead, the doctors in senior positions in Delhi government hospitals through the Central Health Services (CHS) were also recalled by the Centre by transferring them from Delhi government hospitals,” he contended.

He stated that he dispatched another letter to the LG on June 6, informing him that recruiting doctors through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) would be a prolonged process.

“Numerous hospitals, with large machines, are present in the hospitals, but due to the scarcity of doctors, individuals are unable to undergo surgeries, treatment is being postponed, so temporarily, doctors should be employed on a contractual basis,” he proposed.

“Nevertheless, no directive was issued by the LG for the hiring of doctors on a contractual basis,” he asserted.

The minister mentioned that he once again forwarded a letter to the LG through Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the recruitment of doctors and other paramedical staff in the vacant positions in the Delhi government hospitals.

Via the letter, Mr Bharadwaj notified the LG that there are vacancies for 30% doctors, 20% nurses, 30% pharmacists, and approximately 1,658 positions for OT technicians, lab technicians, post-mortem technicians, etc.

On June 25, Mr Bharadwaj indicated that he corresponded with the health secretary.

“I informed him that many new hospitals of the Delhi government are under construction, and new blocks are being added to some existing hospitals, about 12,000-14,000 new beds will be included in the hospitals, but the essential number of staff and doctors required for the current hospitals is incomplete. At the very least, the necessary staff and doctors for the existing hospitals should be recruited, and I should be informed about the actions taken in this regard,” he added.

He revealed that he did not receive any response from the health secretary.

Mr Bharadwaj emphasized that the committee led by Dr. Sarin, established by the high court, has also acknowledged the considerable dearth of doctors and other paramedical staff in the Delhi government hospitals, resulting in inadequate treatment for people, and recommended immediate recruitment on a contractual basis.

Mr Bharadwaj stated that on July 26, he once again penned a letter to Mr Saxena and urged him that since the services department falls directly under his purview and appointing a doctor through the UPSC could be time-consuming, doctors should be recruited for Delhi government hospitals on a contractual basis promptly to ensure that indigent individuals seeking treatment in these hospitals can receive complete and adequate care.

Subsequently, during a press conference, AAP’s chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar remarked that the health model of the Delhi government is gaining recognition even in foreign nations, and they are determined to prevent it from deteriorating like Uttar Pradesh.

Responding, Raj Niwas officials noted that the high court took cognizance of the dire conditions in the Delhi government hospitals and summoned Bharadwaj.

“It established a committee under Dr. SK Sarin to address the situation, but its exhaustive report was not reviewed by the PC minister, who also serves as the health minister. Frauds in mohalla clinics, absence of new hospitals in a decade, tenders escalating from Rs 400 crore to Rs 1,100 crore for hospital construction, medicine procurement scandal, etc., have all been laid bare,” an official remarked.

Furthermore, all service matters, including appointments, postings, transfers, and disciplinary actions, are determined by the NCCSA led by the Chief Minister and presented to the LG, he added.

“Kejriwal has not convened a single NCCSA meeting in ages, even when he was granted authorization by the Supreme Court while out on bail,” the official stated.

Referring to Mr Bharadwaj, he suggested that it would have been more appropriate for him to raise these concerns with Mr. Kejriwal when he was out on bail and urge him to take action, rather than drafting excuses to the LG.

“It would be beneficial for the public health system in Delhi if he focused on governance rather than conducting multiple press conferences daily,” he concluded.