CM visits GTB Hosp, says healthcare system under AAP govt ‘defunct’

New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday criticised the state of Delhi's healthcare under AAP govt, labelling it "zero", and stating the previous administration rendered the entire system "non-functional", leaving patients unable to access necessary medical care.
The remarks by CM came during her visit to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, during which she was accompanied by the hospital's director.
After the inspection, Gupta said, "The whole system is defunct. Patients are not able to get their treatment, and doctors are embarrassed. Only one MD is working for four huge hospitals. The health and education model of AAP govt was zero."
"During the inspection, several medical devices, including 146 ventilators, 458 oxygen concentrators, 36,000 PPE kits, and 248 other items, were found to be stored without proper covers and storage. The hospital is still using the old CT scan machine for examining people, and there is a 40% shortage of doctors and paramedical staff. Despite spending crores of rupees, the construction of new blocks at the hospital is yet to be completed," she said after taking stock.
GTB Hospital has a bed capacity of 1,400, and 6,000-8,000 patients visit the OPD daily.
There was no immediate response from AAP.
BJP has been critical of AAP's health model since forming the govt in the state. Recently, Delhi govt tabled a CAG report on health in the assembly in which several lapses in the healthcare system of the previous AAP govt were found.
"AAP govt spent nearly Rs 1,200 crores and seven hospitals were supposed to be inaugurated during Covid, but none of them were completed," she said.
Delhi government, she added, will work on a war footing to provide 24-hour world-class healthcare services to the people of the capital. A committee will also be formed to evaluate pending hospital-related projects.
After inspecting the facilities at GTB Hospital, CM said Delhi govt is working "round the clock" to ensure that the people of Delhi have access to world-class healthcare facilities in govt hospitals which, she said, is the priority of both PM Narendra Modi and Delhi govt.
Gupta stated that the previous govt did not appoint a medical superintendent in at least 25 hospitals, institutions and directorates.
"Delhi govt has issued instructions for proper storage of all medical equipment as per manufacturing guidelines and other standards. A technical expert team will visit the hospitals to check the inventory and make it functional. All hospitals have been instructed to assess future requirements and use the available items before making any new purchases," CM said.
She also said that medical equipment will be distributed to all hospitals according to their needs, in coordination with both central and Delhi govt.
"If no response is received from these hospitals, information about their needs will be obtained from other states, so that these expensive and advanced machines can be put to use for public service. Additionally, the future needs of upcoming hospitals will be considered for the proper use of unused equipment," said CM.