Health Minister Pankaj Singh announced on Thursday that registration for the Ayushman Bharat scheme will commence after March 8. He also ordered the closure of 250 Aam Aadmi Party’s mohalla clinics that existed only on paper but were still receiving rent payments. Singh criticized the previous AAP-led government, calling the move necessary to curb corruption. He assured that the government has sufficient space to operate healthcare facilities independently.
Delhi Cabinet’s Approval for Ayushman Bharat
The Delhi Cabinet approved the Ayushman Bharat scheme on February 20, shortly after the swearing-in of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her cabinet. Singh assured that the government would bring noticeable improvements to healthcare infrastructure within 100 days. He warned that anyone involved in corruption would face strict action.
Focus on Reducing Non-Hospital Births
Singh highlighted that around 20% of births in Delhi occur outside medical facilities. To address this, the administration will encourage hospital deliveries by establishing jachha-bachcha kendras (mother and child care centers), a service Delhi has lacked for 11 years.
Ensuring Transparency in EWS Quota Bed Allocations
The health minister emphasized the need for strict monitoring of hospital bed allocations under the economically weaker section (EWS) quota. To enhance transparency, two nodal officers have been appointed to oversee the process and ensure quality care for EWS patients.
Healthcare Management Review and Reforms
Singh recently reviewed the functioning of government hospitals at the State Secretariat. The meeting included medical superintendents from all government hospitals and senior officials from the Public Works Department, as well as the departments of food safety, health, and family welfare. He expressed concern over the previous administration’s neglect of primary healthcare services.
To strengthen Jan Aushadhi Centres, Singh restricted local medicine procurement to essential cases. He also requested a detailed report on medicine requirements in government hospitals to ensure adequate supply.
Implementation of National Ayush Mission
As reported by TOI, the minister announced plans to implement the National Ayush Mission in Delhi. This initiative will integrate traditional medicine with conventional treatments to provide a more holistic healthcare system. Additionally, 10 mobile dental vans will be deployed in rural and distant areas, with plans for city-wide expansion.
Addressing Hospital Staff Shortages and Infrastructure Delays
To improve efficiency, Singh directed the immediate filling of vacant paramedical positions and prohibited medical superintendents from holding multiple charges. He also mandated the installation of CCTV cameras across hospitals to enhance security and accountability.
Expressing concern over delays in hospital construction projects in Jwalapur, Madipur, Hastsal, and Sirsapur, Singh instructed the health department to obtain safety compliance details from PWD. He also demanded reports on financial losses sustained due to project delays and called for immediate steps to complete these hospitals. He emphasized that government hospitals should offer services on par with private hospitals, warning that substandard healthcare would face strict consequences.
Improving Efficiency with Online Meetings
To streamline operations, Singh announced that meetings would now be conducted online via video conferencing, with support from the IT department. He emphasized that this approach would help save time and improve decision-making efficiency.
With these reforms, the government aims to enhance Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring better service delivery and transparency.