Delhi Health Minister Initiates Inquiry into Corruption Allegations
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Synopsis
Delhi's Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has declared an inquiry into corruption within hospitals managed by the former AAP government, citing significant financial mismanagement during the Covid crisis. He assures reforms will be implemented promptly to enhance healthcare services.
Key Takeaways
- Inquiry into previous AAP government’s health mismanagement.
- Implementation of a new Hospital Information Management System.
- CAG report highlights serious lapses in health services during Covid.
- Assurances of improved healthcare services in 100 days.
- Previous government accused of corruption amidst pandemic.
New Delhi, March 3 (NationPress) Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced on Monday that the Delhi government will conduct an inquiry into the alleged wrongdoings in hospitals and health centers during the tenure of the previous AAP government, assuring that no individual involved in corruption will be overlooked.
During a session in the Assembly discussing the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India's report on the Performance Audit regarding 'Public Health Infrastructure & Management of Health Services', Singh accused the AAP government of failing to fully utilize the funds allocated by the Centre amidst the Covid crisis.
He highlighted the observations made by the CAG, stating, 'Under the Emergency Covid Response Plan, the GNCTD received a total of Rs 787.91 crore (including Rs 24.67 crore lump sum, Rs 292.22 crore in the first phase, and Rs 471.02 crore in the second phase) from the Government of India. However, by November 2021, only Rs 542.84 crore had been utilized.'
'I feel ashamed to bring to light the misdeeds of the former government. It is disheartening to recall such severe negligence,' he expressed.
'In the upcoming days, we will implement a Hospital Information Management System (HIMS), which will assign a unique patient ID to every individual, making treatment more manageable as all relevant information will be accessible online,' he added.
Emphasizing the failures of the AAP government's health department during Covid, including procurement of substandard medications, neglect of pregnant women, staff shortages, and underutilization of dialysis machines, the Health Minister cited multiple excerpts from the CAG report.
He referred to a directive from the Delhi High Court, which mandated the AAP government to commence radiological diagnosis services by November 2024, a target they have yet to meet.
'I assure the public that our government is dedicated to adhering to the High Court order with urgency,' he stated.
Pointing out lapses noted by the CAG, Singh remarked that the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) had procured drugs from blacklisted suppliers.
He read a CAG remark, stating, 'One of the eligibility criteria for supplying medicines to the CPA is that bidders should not be currently blacklisted, debarred, or de-registered for forgery or supplying 'Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)' products by any governmental or autonomous body in India. Nevertheless, it was found that the department acquired medicines from firms without confirming their non-blacklisted status.'
'The previous government misappropriated funds with impunity, even amidst a global pandemic,' he alleged after the House proceedings concluded.
Singh also promised noticeable improvements in the services offered by the health department within the next 100 days.
One section of the CAG report pointed out the mismanagement in the health department, referencing the inadequate conditions at Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya Geeta Colony, a pediatric hospital.
The report mentioned, 'There was no proper arrangement for mothers whose neonates were hospitalized in the NICU; they were often assigned space in the basement without basic amenities such as seating, drinking water, and toilets.'
Previously, BJP legislator from Krishna Nagar, Anil Goyal, suggested in the Assembly that the CAG report on health department irregularities should be regarded as a 'charge sheet', and the Anti-Corruption Branch should investigate the claims.
BJP legislator from Laxmi Nagar, Abhay Kumar Verma, also called for an investigation against the AAP government's health minister and officials for their alleged mismanagement leading to fiscal losses.
He highlighted that during Covid, Delhi ranked 17th for vaccine coverage, and the death rate of 1.7% was the third-highest in the country, significantly above the national average of 1.2%.
BJP’s Greater Kailash legislator Shikha Rai pointed out the denial of free treatment to EWS patients in private hospitals despite a court ruling.
However, former Delhi Minister and AAP legislator Gopal Rai contended that some aspects of the CAG report credited the previous government for performing better than other states in the National Capital Region.
He emphasized the establishment of 'Mohalla Clinics' in Delhi as a hallmark of the AAP government's health model and attributed staff shortages in the health department to the elected government's lack of recruitment authority.
