Delhi Assembly Confronts Health Crisis, Promises Action

In a stern declaration made during the assembly session on Monday, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj announced impending legal actions against the chief secretary and the health secretary concerning the scarcity of medicines plaguing Delhi government hospitals and dispensaries.

The matter of medication shortage in these medical facilities, coupled with the discontinuation of complimentary diagnostic tests at local clinics, was vehemently brought up by AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam under Rule 54, drawing attention to the concerns surrounding these issues.

Bharadwaj presented two reports, sourced from the chief secretary and the health secretary, asserting the availability of medicines in both hospitals and local clinics, with any shortages being promptly substituted.

However, the second report, based on input from various MLAs, media coverage, and the minister’s own investigations, painted a different picture. Bharadwaj accused the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) of deliberately stalling the finalization of the 2023 tender despite receiving bids, insinuating a calculated scheme. Procurement of medicines for these medical facilities is routed through the CPA, he clarified.

The minister highlighted that concerns regarding medication shortages and the halt of clinic tests surfaced as early as January. Despite repeated appeals for information and action addressed to the chief secretary on February 12, March 4, and March 18, no substantial progress was made.

While alternative procurement methods were proposed during meetings held on March 1 and March 11, the medical heads reported impediments due to directives issued by the Health department, rendering these methods impractical, Bharadwaj revealed.

In a charged statement, he condemned the orchestrated attempt to disrupt medicine supplies by obstructing the CPA tender, questioning the ramifications for the citizens relying on these essential services.

Bharadwaj directed criticism towards Delhi’s Lt Governor VK Saxena, accusing him of negligence and complicity in misleading the government about the true state of medicine availability. Despite repeated appeals for action against the chief secretary and health secretary, no action has been taken.

Expressing concern for the countless individuals dependent on these facilities for critical medication, Bharadwaj called for accountability, posing the question of whether criminal charges should be pressed in cases where lives are endangered due to medicine shortages.

Asserting their determination, the health minister declared their intent to pursue legal action against the implicated officials, signaling a firm stance against the persisting issue, echoed by several AAP MLAs present in the assembly.