Delhi CM inspects hospital, finds ‘several deficiencies’

New Delhi: The Delhi government has decided to appoint a new medical superintendent at the city-run Sanjay Gandhi Hospital after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday found that it had failed to comply with his direction to provide free medicines and diagnostic test facilities.

The chief minister, who paid a surprise visit to the hospital, expressed  “displeasure” over the functioning of the hospital and warned of action against officials.

According to a senior official, “the government has decided to appoint a new medical superintendent, following the visit”. The hospital currently has an acting medical superintendent, according to officials.

“During my visit, I came to know that patients were being asked to get tests done, including some of the basic ones, and buy medicines and consumables from outside the hospital. This means the policy is not being implemented at the lower level,” Mr Kejriwal said after the inspection.

“Some cases of money being taken at some level was also reported to me by the patients,” Mr Kejriwal alleged, adding, “Such people will be identified and stern action will be taken against them.”

Mr Kejriwal accompanied by health minister Satyendar Jain interacted with several patients during his visit, during which many complained about problems they faced at the hospital.

After he came to know that the hospital does not have a regular medical superintendent and there was only an additional MS holding charge, the chief minister said a full-time MS will be appointed there soon.

Mr Kejriwal later told the media that despite the fact that his Aam Aadmi Party government has made all medicines and tests free in all Delhi government hospitals, he received complaints about violation of this guideline at the hospital.

“Patients here are asked to get their tests done from outside, or buy several medicines from outside. During surgical procedures, they are asked to buy several medical items from outside,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government policy is not being followed at the lower level.

He said he had asked the medical superintendent of the Mangolpuri hospital to take action against the officials concerned. He said he will also talk to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and take appropriate action.