The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
CM issues 2nd order: Focus on healthcare
‘Address shortage of medicines, tests at govt hospitals and mohalla clinics’
AFTER ISSUING orders to Delhi minister Atishi and AAP’S national general secretary Dr Sandeep Pathak from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has now issued another order — this time, to Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj to address shortage of medicines and diagnostic tests at government hospitals and mohalla clinics in the Capital.
Bharadwaj said on Tuesday: “Healthcare in Delhi has always been our CM’S priority. Even from the ED custody, he is thinking about the residents’ health... He received information that many government hospitals and mohalla clinics in Delhi lack the availability of free medical tests and medicines. Worried about this, the CM has directed me to fix the issues immediately... so people do not suffer...”
An ordinary person in prison worries about his family and how to get bail, but Kejriwal is worried about the issues faced by Delhi residents and how to fix them, said Bharadwaj.
He highlighted that lakhs of people suffering from health issues, such as diabetes and blood pressure among others, and undergoing treatment are dependent on government hospitals for free medicines. “The CM has issued a direction to me on the
same... like God’s order to us... My department and I are going to follow this direction, and will work on a war footing to ensure that facilities reach people on time... I want to tell the people that despite being in jail, Kejriwal is only thinking about your wellbeing.”
On Sunday, Water Minister Atishi had received the CM’S directions to ensure redressal of water and sewerage grievances.
During an all-party meet on Sunday, Dr Pathak said he had also received an order from the CM that day — to organise a mega rally on March 31 and how to run the party in his absence. It was also decided by AAP leaders during Sunday’s meeting that “CM Kejriwal will continue to run the Delhi government from jail”.
A Delhi Assembly session has also been called to discuss healthcare issues; the Health department has been asked to share details on the availability of free medicines and tests in hospitals and mohalla clinics, and come up with a plan to fix the shortage, if any, with Bharadwaj addressing the issues.