By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: In a surprise inspection that laid bare serious lapses in public healthcare, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday conducted an unannounced visit to Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital, flagging medicine shortages, long queues and poor sanitation.
Touring the OPD, wards, pharmacy and other facilities, the Chief Minister interacted directly with patients and attendants, many of whom complained of hours-long waits and lack of basic amenities. Several elderly patients said they had been standing in queues since early morning without being attended to, prompting Gupta to term the situation “completely unacceptable”.
She directed hospital authorities to introduce a streamlined token system and ensure adequate seating, particularly for senior citizens. The inspection also revealed gaps in doctor availability, overcrowding in OPDs and inefficiencies in the online appointment system, which failed to ease patient load.
A major concern raised during the visit was the unavailability of essential medicines, forcing patients to purchase drugs from outside. Taking a stern view, Gupta ordered an immediate audit of stock registers and enforced a zero-tolerance policy on shortages. “If a medicine is needed today, it must be provided today,” she said.
The Chief Minister also pulled up officials over unhygienic conditions, dysfunctional toilets and water supply issues, calling such negligence unacceptable. She ordered urgent corrective measures to improve cleanliness and basic infrastructure.
To tighten accountability, Gupta mandated biometric attendance for staff and directed all personnel to wear nameplates during duty hours. She also sought inputs from doctors on rising hepatitis cases and called for preventive action.
Reaffirming her government’s commitment to citizen-centric healthcare, the Chief Minister said hospitals must deliver timely treatment, clean surroundings and dignified service. “Hospitals are not just centres of treatment, but spaces of service, compassion and trust,” she said, warning that no shortcomings would be tolerated.
