Keenly-awaited CAG report on state of healthcare in Delhi tabled in assembly

The keenly-awaited CAG report on the state of healthcare in Delhi -- covering both mohalla clinics and government hospitals -- was tabled on February 28.

Delhi's mohalla clinics, once celebrated as a significant advancement in accessible healthcare, recently came under fire following a comprehensive audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The audit report revealed a disturbing array of deficiencies, including instances where doctors spent less than a minute per patient and a lack of essential medical equipment, as reported by various news agencies. These findings indicate a healthcare system riddled with operational inefficiencies, medicine shortages, and infrastructural shortcomings, ultimately jeopardizing the vision of affordable and effective healthcare for the populace.

One of the most concerning aspects highlighted in the report is the extremely brief consultation times at mohalla clinics, with doctors frequently spending less than a minute with each patient. The audit data indicated that from October 2022 to March 2023, 70% of patients experienced consultations lasting under one minute, casting significant doubt on the quality of diagnosis and treatment they received. Furthermore, many clinics were found to be lacking vital medical tools such as pulse oximeters, glucometers, X-ray viewers, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors—fundamental equipment necessary for providing adequate patient care.


The report also noted that 18% of the clinics evaluated were non-operational for periods ranging from 15 days to nearly two years, primarily due to a shortage of doctors, staff resignations, and de-empanelment. Out of the 218 clinics across four major districts—North East, South, South West, and West—41 were reported closed at the time of assessment, leading to significant disruptions in healthcare access for residents of Delhi.

Availability of medicines was another critical issue that emerged from the audit. A review of 74 clinics revealed that none were able to maintain a complete inventory of the 165 essential medications outlined in the Essential Drug List (EDL). Inefficiencies in the supply chain led to frequent failures in fulfilling or partially completing orders from suppliers. Many essential medicines were either not procured by the central procurement agency or were delayed in delivery despite orders being placed, with waiting times extending from three to six months. Such interruptions severely affected the clinics' capacity to provide timely medical care, putting patients at risk.

The report also pointed to ongoing delays in various projects. Between 2016 and 2023, an allocation of Rs 35.16 crore was made for the construction of primary health centres; however, only 28% (Rs 9.8 crore) of these funds were actually utilized. This underutilization of resources has hindered the expansion of the mohalla clinic network, further limiting access to healthcare services in the region.