New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena wrote to Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj expressing deep concerns regarding the “deteriorating” state of the ‘Delhi Model’ of healthcare delivery, likening it to being on “life support ventilator”.
Referring to Bharadwaj's note on April 4 highlighting the severe shortage of basic medical supplies at Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Saxena lamented the necessity to communicate directly with the Health Minister due to the absence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
He also underscored Bharadwaj's disregard for invitations to discuss critical healthcare issues and criticised his tendency to deflect responsibility and propagate misleading narratives.
"I am writing with reference to your note on April 4 drawing attention to the utter lack of basic consumables in Dr Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya. Ordinarily, I would have addressed this communication to the Chief Minister but in his absence, in the current circumstances, I am constrained to address this communication directly to you,” LG Saxena wrote.
"You (Bharadwaj) would recall that on two occasions, over the last one week, I requested you to come for a discussion on issues of public importance related to healthcare in the given circumstances. However, you chose to disregard the invitation and instead offered some frivolous excuse for not attending the same," he added.
Saxena highlighted a recent court case where Bharadwaj and his Health Secretary were summoned, emphasising the court's dismay at the deplorable state of healthcare infrastructure, to the extent of issuing threats of imprisonment. He further pointed out the lack of basic supplies such as cotton in Delhi government-run hospitals, along with the absence of orthopaedic specialists in certain facilities.
"I am surprised that hospitals in the national capital run by the Delhi government are not equipped even with basic consumables like cotton. You have also highlighted the unavailability of orthopaedic doctor in one facility," he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the intervention of the High Court, which formed a committee of doctors to assess healthcare facilities and devise corrective measures, indicating a systemic failure in health administration over the past decade.
He said the constitutional delegation of health management to the elected government and urged Bharadwaj to proactively address these issues within the council of ministers.
"This sad situation points to a virtual collapse of health administration during the last 10 years, which should be a cause of worry and introspection for you. I must remind you that health is a subject which is wholly transferred to the elected government under the constitutional scheme of things in the Delhi government. As the minister in charge, you should not shy away from taking decisions on portfolios assigned to you in the council of ministers,” he wrote.
Saxena called upon Bharadwaj to exhibit leadership by formulating a comprehensive action plan, suggesting the initiation of a white paper and collaboration with specialists for guidance.
"I would once again urge you to demonstrate leadership and prepare a roadmap for serious action. A white paper on this subject could be a useful starting point. You could rope in specialists and experts for guidance. I hope that you will take my advice in the right spirit and also consult your senior colleagues and reinvigorate the administration of the departments under your charge," he added.