The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
L- G: Delhi ‘ healthcare model’ on life support
L- G V K SAXENA and Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday clashed over the alleged lack of basic consumables in Delhi’s government hospitals.
This comes after an 8- yearold boy with a broken arm was on April 1 allegedly turned away by two prominent government hospitals for children, which stated that they don’t have cotton and no orthopaedic doctor was available.
Saxena sent a letter to Bharadwaj, flagging the issue at the two hospitals, and said the “‘ Delhi Model’ of health service delivery appears to be on life support”. Bharadwaj said he has been getting feedback from the ground that there is a scarcity of medicines and consumables in Delhi government’s health facilities and asked Saxena “not to engage in politics”, but to take appropriate action against bureaucrats who were allegedly misleading the government about the situation.
Underlining the absence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal — currently behind bars in the excise policy case — in whose absence he was writing to Bharadwaj, Saxena said: “... On two occasions over the last week, I requested you to come for a discussion on issues of public importance related to healthcare... However, you chose to disregard the invitation...”
Accusing the minister of shirking his responsibility, Saxena said he was “appalled at the pathetic state of affairs prevailing in Delhi government hospitals”. “It is indeed shocking that the much- touted ‘ Delhi Model’ of health service delivery lies in shambles — indeed it appears to be on life support ventilator...,” he alleged.
Bharadwaj then invited the LG to visit a few Delhi government hospitals where a majority of patients came from BJP- ruled UP and Haryana. “... I had meetings with MS & MD of all hospitals, and even they confirmed there is a scarcity...,” said the minister.
He said knowing this situation, for the last two months, he issued multiple written directions to the health secretary and chief secretary to solve these issues, and asked them to share their plan of action along with timelines.
On Bharadwaj demanding disciplinary action against bureaucrats, the L- G said the National Capital Civil Service Authority ( NCCSA), chaired by the CM, recommended transfers, postings and vigilance/ disciplinary actions. “However, the Chief Minister, for reasons best known to him, had chosen not to convene any meeting of NCCSA in the last six months,” Saxena said.
Bharadwaj shot back: “Only the L- G or MHA can initiate inquiry against CS and Health Secretary. CS being part of NCCSA cannot adjudicate his own case.”