CAG report highlights mohalla clinic vacancies, overcrowding in hospitals

A performance audit report on Delhi’s health infrastructure by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has painted a grim picture, highlighting systemic failures that could lead the capital into a health crisis. The audit reveals critical infrastructure lying idle, severe staff shortages, and significant delays in project execution.

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Top government sources told The Tribune that the report will be tabled on Friday, February 28.

As per the CAG report, the Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics (AAMCs) lack basic facilities such as toilets, power backups, and essential medical equipment such as pulse oximeters and glucometers.

The report states that 70 per cent of the patients who visited AAMCs during the period from October 2022 to March 2023 received less than one minute of consultation.

However, as per the report, the Directorate General Health Service (DGHS) failed to utilise the allocated budget for constructing Primary Health Centres, spending only Rs 9.78 crore (28%) out of the Rs 35.16 crore allocated under the Capital Head.

“There was an overall savings ranging from 31.44 per cent (2022-23) to 86.36 per cent (2018-19) in the Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic (AAMC) project which indicates that planning and implementation of the project was deficient,” the report stated.

Notably, the previous AAP government had planned to open 1,000 Mohalla clinics but could set up only 523 till March, 2023.

The audit findings revealed that 41 out of 218 AAMCs in four selected districts were closed for periods ranging from 15 days to 23 months due to issues such as de-empanelment, resignation, and leave of doctors. Moreover, of the 74 selected AAMCs, 10 lacked drinking water facility, 21 had no toilet facilities, 12 were not disabled-friendly and 31 were lacking sufficient space drug storage, the report read.

Apart from Mohalla clinic, the report painted a overall dismal picture of Delhi’s overall healthcare structure.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the urgent need for resources, the Delhi Government utilised only Rs 582.84 crore of the Rs 787.91 crore released by the Centre under the Emergency COVID Response Plan.

Alarmingly, Rs 30.52 crore of the Rs 52 crore allocated for hiring health staff remained unused, resulting in underpayment and inadequate deployment of healthcare workers. Further, Rs 83.14 crore out of Rs 119.85 crore meant for essential medical supplies like PPE kits and masks went unspent.

The report also notes that bed occupancy in major hospitals ranged between 101% and 189%, forcing hospitals to accommodate multiple patients on a single bed or place them on the floor.

The CAG report identifies a staggering 8,194 vacancies across various Health Departments and hospitals. This includes 3,268 vacancies in the Department of Health and Family Welfare and 1,532 in the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Notably, there is a 21% shortage of nurses and a 38% shortage of paramedics, further straining an already overwhelmed system.