After the Delhi government's review report revealed that less than 50 per cent medicines are available at some of its hospitals, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday directed Chief Secretary M.M. Kutty to immediately ensure 100 per cent availability of medicines in government hospitals.
"Directed Chief Secretary today (Tuesday) to ensure 100 per cent availability of medicines in all Delhi government hospitals. CS to certify every month," Kejriwal tweeted.
"Chief Secretary is also to ensure and certify every month that all equipment in Delhi government hospitals in working condition," he said.
Kejriwal also received complaints about X-Ray and CT Scan machines not functioning properly in some state government hospitals.
Kejriwal said he would conduct surprise checks in government hospitals to ensure availability of medicines and functional equipment.
"Will make surprise checks in some hospitals to ensure adequate medicines, consumables and functioning equipment," he said in another tweet.
He issued these directions following a high-level review meeting on health and medicine on Tuesday.
In the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed displeasure at not being provided regular reports about the status of availability of medicines and consumables, despite clear directions having been given to the Chief Secretary on April 6 that a written report be submitted to him on the 1st and 15th of every month.
The first report presented to the Chief Minister shows that in some hospitals less than 50 per cent medicines are available while details about the status of equipments and consumables are awaited.
Report shows 33 per cent availability of medicines in Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Hospital (Patel Nagar), 34 per cent in Guru Teg Bhadur (GTB) Hospital, 36 per cent in Ch. Braham Prakash Ayurvedic Charak Sansthan (Khera Dabur), 44 per cent in Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital (Rohini) and 46 per cent in Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital.