Kejriwal writes to L-G Baijal over poor state of Delhi govt hospitals

Kejriwal further pointed out that in several hospitals, there are long queues outside medicine dispensing counters due to non- availability of pharmacists

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal to draw his attention to the ‘ailing’ health infrastructure in the city. Referring to shortage of staff in Delhi government hospitals, Kejriwal urged the L-G to take immediate measures and fill vacant posts.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and L-G Anil Baijal. (PTI)

“Today, we have a situation in many Delhi government hospitals, where we have ventilators but no ventilator staff to operate them, we have machines (like X-ray, CT scan, MRI) but no staff to run them,” the letter sent to L-G Baijal reads.

Kejriwal further pointed out that in several hospitals, there are long queues outside medicine dispensing counters due to non- availability of pharmacists. “More medicine counters cannot be opened due to lack of pharmacists. And posts of pharmacists are lying vacant in many government hospitals,” he said.

“Since ‘services’ comes directly under you, I would urge you to kindly take necessary steps to fill up all vacant posts in all Delhi government hospitals on an urgent basis and in a time bound manner,” he added.

“I am told that a few lives could have been saved if staff was available to operate ventilators in some hospitals,” he said.

Medical superintendents (MSs) have been asked to fill vacant posts by hiring experts from outside on contract basis till these posts are filled up on regular basis. “The chief secretary was directed to seek your approval to empower medical superintendents to be able to do that,’ the CM’s letter said.

The CM also alleged that a file regarding this was prepared and the proposal sent to L-G directly without rooting it through him or the health minister. Kejriwal asked the L-G to send back the file to him so that they can also offer suggestions.