By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi, September 23, 2026: Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh inspected G.B. Pant Hospital on Wednesday, reviewing medicine availability, patient facilities and the functioning of various hospital departments, and directed the administration to ensure 100 per cent availability of essential medicines.
During the detailed inspection, Dr. Singh visited different wards, the pharmacy and medicine storage areas, while also interacting with patients, attendants, doctors and hospital staff to obtain first-hand feedback on treatment and facilities.
The minister found that around 95–97 per cent of medicines were available at the hospital. Taking note of the gap, he directed officials to take immediate corrective measures and ensure timely replenishment so that patients are not forced to purchase medicines from outside.
“There is no significant shortage of medicines at the hospital. However, I have directed the hospital administration to ensure timely replenishment and maintain 100% availability of all essential medicines so that patients do not face any inconvenience,” Dr. Singh said.
He emphasised that a large number of patients depend on G.B. Pant Hospital for treatment and that their trust in the institution must be strengthened through uninterrupted access to essential medicines.
“Sometimes there can be a situation where the stock of a particular medicine gets exhausted or there is a temporary issue with its availability. But I will not make excuses for this. My clear direction is that there should be no shortage of essential medicines in the hospital,” the minister said.
Dr. Singh also conducted random spot checks in the pharmacy and medicine stores to personally assess medicine stocks. Officials informed him that alternative medicines from other companies could be available when a particular brand was out of stock.
The minister directed doctors and pharmacists to improve coordination in such cases. Where a prescribed brand is unavailable, patients should be informed about an alternative with the same salt or generic composition, wherever medically appropriate.
He further stressed that doctors should clearly mention the generic name or salt composition of medicines on prescriptions, allowing pharmacists to provide suitable alternatives when a particular brand is unavailable.
During his ward visits, Dr. Singh randomly interacted with patients and their attendants and sought feedback on the availability of medicines, treatment and other hospital services. He also interacted with doctors and hospital staff and reviewed arrangements for patients.
The minister directed hospital officials to closely monitor medicine stocks and ensure replenishment well before supplies are exhausted.
Dr. Singh said the inspection was aimed at identifying gaps at the ground level and ensuring their immediate resolution. He added that regular monitoring of medicine availability would continue and stressed that the hospital administration would be responsible for ensuring patients receive the medicines they require without unnecessary inconvenience.
The Health Minister reiterated that patient convenience and uninterrupted access to essential medicines remain a priority, directing the G.B. Pant Hospital administration to take all necessary steps to prevent shortages.
