DELHI'S HEALTHCARE IS CRUMBLING..! CAG Report Exposes Shocking Reality
Far from the world-class healthcare system once touted, the findings reveal a sector plagued by inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and financial inefficiencies.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled a damning report in the Delhi Assembly today, laying bare the stark realities of the capital’s public health system. Presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the report—part of 14 long-pending audits—has ignited controversy by exposing systemic neglect, mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises under the previous AAP government. Far from the "world-class" healthcare system once touted, the findings reveal a sector plagued by inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and financial inefficiencies.
The CAG’s evaluation against the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) paints a grim picture. Of the 27 hospitals audited, 14 lack Intensive Care Units (ICUs), 16 operate without blood banks, and eight have no oxygen supply systems—gaps that could prove fatal during emergencies. Twelve hospitals don’t even have ambulances, crippling their ability to respond to urgent cases. Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP), a flagship facility, exemplifies the crisis: its overburdened doctors can spare just five minutes per patient, while non-functional operation theaters sit idle due to staffing shortages.
Staffing woes extend across the board, with a 21% deficit in medical personnel compared to IPHS norms. Equipment, where available, gathers dust due to untrained staff or poor maintenance, and essential drugs remain in short supply thanks to an outdated Essential Drug List and sluggish procurement. Meanwhile, Mohalla Clinics—once hailed as a grassroots healthcare revolution—lack basics like toilets and power backups, rendering them ineffective for many communities.
Financial mismanagement compounds the crisis. The report flags ₹382 crore in excess spending on three hospital projects, yet only 1,300 beds were added over five years. With bed occupancy rates hitting 189%, patients are forced to share beds—a stark indicator of capacity failure. Ambulance services under the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) fare no better, operating without critical equipment.
Politically, the report has fueled a blame game, with the BJP leveraging it to criticize the AAP’s decade-long tenure. For Delhi’s residents, however, the findings underscore a harsh truth: promises of healthcare reform have crumbled under neglect. As the government pledges action, the question remains—can Delhi’s ailing health system be revived?
