New Delhi

The previous Delhi government's highly publicised health model, centred around Mohalla Clinics, has been found deficient in basic medical infrastructure and fund utilisation in government-run hospitals, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

The government auditor's report on 'Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services' in Delhi criticises the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration for multiple shortcomings, highlighting failures in key health indicators.

Earlier today, the presentation of the CAG report on the now-revoked Excise policy in the Assembly led to uproar, with AAP members protesting and subsequently being suspended.

The findings of the CAG audit on AAP's 'health model' are now poised to stir further political controversy.

According to senior sources familiar with the CAG audit on health, AAP's Mohalla Clinics have been found lacking in several basic health amenities.

The CAG report reveals that at least 21 Mohalla Clinics did not have toilets, 15 lacked power backup, six were without examination tables, and 12 units were 'inaccessible' to physically challenged patients.

AYUSH dispensaries were also found to be in poor condition under the previous government.

"At least 17 of them didn't have any power backup, seven didn't have any toilets, and 14 had no access to drinking water," the CAG report states.

Additionally, the CAG report highlights several deficiencies in government-run hospitals, including staff shortages, unavailability of specialist doctors, 'inactive' operation theatres, inadequately equipped ambulances, and more.

The CAG audit points to significant under-utilisation of funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approximately Rs 582.84 crore of the total Rs 787.91 crore allocated by the government for COVID-19 management was utilised.

"Rs 83.14 crore of the allocated Rs 119.85 crore for drugs and supplies, including PPE and masks, remained unutilised," the report highlights, describing the inaction as tantamount to criminal negligence.

Further undermining AAP's claims of ultra-modern health services in the capital, the CAG report finds that manpower shortages persist across several prominent hospitals, including Lok Nayak Hospital, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, and others.

"The deficit in the cadres of nurses and paramedic staff is about 21 per cent and 38 per cent respectively," it notes.

The report also points to the minimal addition of beds — approximately 1,357 — against the target of adding 32,000 beds in Delhi government hospitals over the four budget years from 2016-17 to 2020-21.

"In Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH), six modular/semi-modular operation theatres, Stone Centre, Transplant ICU and wards, kitchen, 77 private/special rooms, 16 ICU beds, 154 general beds, and the resident doctors' hostel remained non-functional," it states.

The report further highlights that ICU services were unavailable in 14 hospitals, blood bank services in 16, oxygen services in eight, mortuary services in 15, and ambulance services in 12 hospitals.

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It also flags under-utilisation of funds in maternal and child healthcare departments.

The CAG report points to the failure of the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) in delivering drugs.

"Hospitals had to procure 33-47 per cent of essential drugs listed in the Essential Drug List because the CPA failed to procure them," it states.