By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh reviews preparedness across government hospitals, mandates uninterrupted patient services, stronger emergency response and faster infrastructure upgrades.

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh has directed all Delhi Government hospitals to maintain uninterrupted availability of essential medicines, strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure quality healthcare services during the monsoon season, while warning that any shortage of medicines or premature closure of OPDs and medicine counters will not be tolerated.

Chairing a high-level review meeting with Medical Superintendents, Medical Directors, senior Health Department officials and the Health Secretary, the Minister conducted a comprehensive assessment of medicine stocks, hospital infrastructure, human resources, sanitation, diagnostic services and emergency preparedness across government hospitals.

Hospital authorities informed the Minister that more than 90 per cent availability of medicines and surgical items is currently being maintained. While expressing satisfaction over the existing stock position, Dr. Singh instructed hospitals to immediately report any shortage directly to his office for swift intervention and directed local procurement wherever necessary to prevent disruption in patient care.

With the monsoon season underway, the Minister ordered hospitals to remain fully equipped to manage a possible rise in dengue, chikungunya, malaria and other water-borne diseases by maintaining adequate stocks of medicines, consumables and ICU facilities while strengthening emergency response systems.

Reviewing healthcare infrastructure, Dr. Singh asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to expedite pending construction, repair and renovation of hospital buildings, particularly ageing structures. He also reviewed the availability of nearly 18,000 hospital beds and directed hospitals to submit proposals for additional beds, especially in maternity and emergency wards, wherever required.

The Minister further instructed hospital administrations to maintain high standards of cleanliness, ensure adequate availability of radiologists, conduct regular inspections of hospital infrastructure and promptly report maintenance, IT and operational issues requiring immediate government intervention.

As part of broader healthcare reforms, Dr. Singh also directed simplification of the nursing home registration process in line with the government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative while ensuring regulatory compliance. He additionally reviewed progress on ABHA ID generation and ordered hospitals to submit fortnightly reports on key operational issues, including infrastructure, medicine availability and registration progress.

“The Delhi Government is fully committed to ensuring that every Government hospital remains prepared to meet the healthcare needs of citizens, particularly during the monsoon season. Every Delhi Government hospital must remain fully prepared so that citizens receive uninterrupted, quality healthcare services,” Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh said.

The review forms part of the Delhi Government’s ongoing efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to strengthen public healthcare delivery through improved planning, infrastructure, procurement systems and patient-centric services.