The Delhi government has been ordered by the Delhi High Court to hire the required personnel within stringent timeframes and commission its ongoing hospital projects as soon as possible. This ruling was made in response to a Suo motu lawsuit that the court had started in 2017 about the dearth of critical care facilities in Delhi’s government hospitals.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Manmohan, issued an order on November 13 directing the municipal government to make sure that its 80%-completed “brownfield” hospital projects—those built on existing sites—are fully commissioned within three months. Additionally, the necessary personnel for these hospitals must be hired right once. The court mandated that the government approve the required funding for “greenfield” hospital projects—those constructed on new properties—that are more than 80% finished in order to avoid wasting already-invested resources.
The Delhi government could not afford a “stalemate” in the construction of these vital healthcare facilities, the court stressed. Additionally, it directed the authorities to decide within two weeks whether to operate these hospitals through a public-private partnership (PPP), a government-run society, or another model.
The court also discussed the lack of employees in Delhi’s public hospitals. It instructed the authorities to hire 701 nursing staff members whose applications have already been accepted, fill 114 open specialty jobs, and hire 762 paramedics. The next court hearing has been scheduled as the deadline for these staff members to join.
In addition, the court mandated that the Delhi government move quickly to launch a pilot program for the PM-ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) within four weeks. The goal of this project is to enhance hospital diagnostic services, which the court determined are critical to patient care. In addition, the court upheld the Dr. S K Sarin committee’s recommendations by ordering the creation of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in every hospital to supply reasonably priced medications.
The Delhi Aarogya Kosh’s expansion to non-trauma agencies was also discussed by the court, which gave the authorities two weeks to provide the required clearances and requirements. Finally, the court stressed how crucial it is that all hospitals adopt a “Health Management Information System” and instructed AIIMS to assess the situation and provide a status report prior to the following hearing.
By addressing personnel and operational issues and guaranteeing the timely completion of infrastructure projects, these directives seek to enhance healthcare service in Delhi.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
