New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India's audit report on the Delhi Government's Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services exposed significant gaps in the city's healthcare system.

Here are the seven key findings:

1. Shocking Deficiencies in Mohalla Clinics

The CAG report, cited by Financial Express, uncovered severe inefficiencies in Mohalla clinics. The report stated that patient consultations lasted barely 30 seconds, and clinics lacked essential medicines and ICU facilities. Basic medical equipment, including oximeters, glucometers, X-ray viewers, blood pressure monitors, and thermometers, was unavailable. Patients even had to purchase their own tetanus medication and syringes.

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The audit also found that authorities failed to procure or receive 165 essential medicines, causing clinics to shut down for periods ranging from 15 days to 23 months. During the evaluation, 41 out of 2018 clinics across Delhi's North, South, East, Southwest, and West districts remained closed. The report noted that 18% of the assessed clinics were non-operational due to a shortage of doctors and healthcare personnel, leading to resignations and de-empanelment.

Among the 81 clinics assessed:

• 10 lacked potable water.

• 24 had no infrastructure to store medicines.

• 21 had no toilet facilities.

• 6 did not have examination tables.

• 12 were inaccessible to differently-abled individuals.

Additionally, from November 16, 2022, to December 14, 2022, laboratory services remained completely unavailable in Mohalla clinics. The report also highlighted that between 2016 and 2023, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) failed to utilize its allocated budget effectively. The government missed its target of setting up 1,000 clinics by March 31, 2017, establishing only 523 by March 31, 2023.

2. Deficiencies in Ayush Dispensaries

The CAG report also exposed inadequate infrastructure in Ayush dispensaries across Delhi. According to Daily Pioneer, 17 out of 49 Ayush dispensaries lacked power backup, seven had no toilets, and 14 did not provide drinking water facilities.

3. Hospitals Lacking Critical Services

Several hospitals in Delhi struggle with a severe shortage of essential medical services. The CAG report found:

• 14 out of 27 hospitals had no ICU facilities.

• 16 hospitals lacked blood banks.

• 8 hospitals did not have an oxygen supply.

• 15 hospitals had no mortuary.

• 12 hospitals operated without ambulance services.

Patients often faced long wait times for surgeries. At Lok Nayak Hospital, general surgeries required a 2-3 month wait, while burn and plastic surgeries had a 6-8 month delay. At CNBC Hospital, pediatric surgeries had a staggering 12-month waiting period, according to India Today.

4. Shortage of Healthcare Workers

Delhi hospitals also faced a massive shortage of healthcare workers, further straining the city's medical infrastructure.

5. Critical Hospital Facilities Lying Unused

Despite the need for more hospital beds and emergency care, the report found that operation theaters, ICU beds, and private rooms remained unused at Rajiv Gandhi and Janakpuri Super Specialty Hospitals. Meanwhile, trauma centers lacked specialist doctors for emergency care.

6. Covid Emergency Funds Not Utilized

The Delhi Government failed to fully utilize the allocated COVID-19 response funds. Of the ?787.91 crore allocated, authorities spent only ?582.84 crore. Additionally:

• ?30.52 crore designated for healthcare workers remained unspent.

• ?83.14 crore allocated for essential drugs and PPE kits went unused.

7. Hospital Bed Capacity Not Expanded, Projects Delayed

The government failed to meet its promise of adding 32,000 new hospital beds. By March 2023, only 1,357 beds (4.24%) had been added. Due to occupancy rates ranging from 101% to 189%, patients were often forced to lie on the floor.

Major hospital projects, including Indira Gandhi Hospital, Burari Hospital, and MA Dental Ph-II, experienced delays of 3-6 years, resulting in cost overruns of ?382.52 crore.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also heads the finance department, will present the CAG report in the Delhi Assembly today, according to ANI.