February 28, 2025: A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed alarming shortcomings in Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure, pointing to widespread financial mismanagement, lack of accountability, and a severe shortage of critical medical services. The report, which is expected to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly today, highlights issues ranging from the absence of ICU facilities in major hospitals to the poor condition of Mohalla clinics and underutilization of emergency funds.
According to the report, 14 of Delhi’s 27 hospitals lack ICU facilities, while 16 do not have blood banks. In a shocking revelation, oxygen supply remains unavailable in eight hospitals, and 15 hospitals are functioning without a mortuary. Adding to the crisis, 12 hospitals have been operating without ambulance services, further endangering the lives of patients in need of urgent medical care. Despite repeated promises to strengthen the city’s healthcare system, the situation appears to have worsened over the past six years.
The report also highlights glaring deficiencies in the infrastructure of Mohalla clinics and AYUSH dispensaries. Several of these healthcare centers, which were introduced to provide affordable and accessible treatment to the public, are operating without basic facilities like toilets, power backup, and check-up tables. These shortcomings raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of these clinics in serving the needs of Delhi’s residents.
A major crisis in staffing has also come to light, with hospitals across the city facing a severe shortage of healthcare professionals. There is currently a 21% shortage of nurses and a 38% shortage of paramedics, while some hospitals are struggling with a doctor and nurse shortage ranging from 50% to 96%. The lack of adequate medical staff has put immense pressure on existing healthcare workers and has contributed to long waiting times for surgeries and critical medical procedures.
Despite having infrastructure in place, several key medical facilities remain unused. Operation theatres, ICU beds, and private rooms at Rajiv Gandhi and Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospitals are lying vacant, while trauma centers lack the necessary specialist doctors to handle emergency cases. This underutilization of resources has further exacerbated the problems faced by patients in need of urgent treatment.
The mismanagement of funds allocated for Covid-19 relief has also come under scrutiny. Of the ₹787.91 crore set aside for the pandemic response, only ₹582.84 crore was utilized, leaving a significant portion unspent. Additionally, ₹30.52 crore meant for healthcare workers was never disbursed, and ₹83.14 crore allocated for essential drugs and PPE kits went unused. The failure to allocate these funds effectively raises serious questions about the government's handling of public health emergencies.
Hospital bed expansion, a key promise made by the Delhi government, has also fallen far short of expectations. Out of the proposed 32,000 new hospital beds, only 1,357 have been added, accounting for a mere 4.24% of the target. As a result, several hospitals are facing extreme overcrowding, with bed occupancy rates reaching as high as 189%. Patients are often left with no choice but to lie on the floors due to the lack of available beds.
Long delays in hospital projects have further aggravated the healthcare crisis. Several key hospital projects, including Indira Gandhi Hospital, Burari Hospital, and MA Dental Ph-II, have been delayed by three to six years, leading to cost overruns of ₹382.52 crore. The lack of timely execution of these projects has significantly impacted healthcare delivery, making it even more difficult for patients to receive necessary treatment.
The CAG report also sheds light on the long waiting periods for surgeries in Delhi hospitals. At Lok Nayak Hospital, patients have to wait between two to three months for general surgeries and up to eight months for burn and plastic surgeries. CNBC Hospital, which specializes in pediatric care, has a waiting period of nearly a year for children's surgeries. The overwhelming burden on these hospitals has made timely medical interventions nearly impossible for many patients.
This is the second CAG report set to be presented in the Delhi Assembly this week. Just two days ago, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the CAG report on the Delhi Excise Policy, which also pointed to significant irregularities. With serious gaps in healthcare services, mismanagement of funds, and a growing crisis in medical infrastructure, the findings of this latest report raise urgent questions about the state of public health in the national capital. The Delhi government has yet to respond to the damning revelations.