The Delhi High Court expressed deep dissatisfaction on Thursday, directing the city's health secretary to frankly acknowledge the severe lack of basic diagnostic services like MRI and CT scans in government hospitals. A special bench highlighted this critical gap while reviewing progress on court-mandated healthcare upgrades.
Court's Stern Rebuke to Health Authorities
During the hearing, the bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora made sharp observations. "Imagine not having basic MRI and radiology services in govt hospitals," the court remarked. It pointed out the scarcity of private diagnostic centres to handle the patient load, effectively leaving the capital without adequate radiological services for those dependent on public healthcare.
The judges directly addressed the health secretary, stating, "Better to accept. This means in govt hospitals no MRIs/CT scans etc are happening. You are the health secretary, you have to answer to yourself." The strong comments came after the government submitted that it had a panel of 35 diagnostic centres where patients could be referred.
Government's Claim Fails to Satisfy Judges
The court was quick to see a "catch" in the government's submission and expressed clear dissatisfaction. The bench noted that the majority of these 35 centres were private units and there was no clarity on whether they were actually equipped to perform essential tests like MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans.
"Prepare a chart," the court ordered, demanding a detailed breakdown. It directed the health secretary to furnish a comprehensive report with specific details. This report must include the "actual radiological services" available within government hospitals themselves and data on the number of patients who underwent these tests.
Detailed Report and Fund Disbursal Details Ordered
The High Court issued several key directives to bring transparency to the system. The health department must now provide:
- A complete list of all diagnostic centres on the panel.
- A clear chart specifying the exact services (MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound) available at each of the 35 centres.
- The number of patients referred from government hospitals who actually availed services at these centres.
- Details of funds disbursed to these centres in the previous year.
The judges underscored the "criticality of radiological services" in public hospitals, a point also emphasized by the court-appointed Sarin committee in its recommendations for strengthening Delhi's healthcare infrastructure.
Separate Order on Civic Health Hazard
In a related matter concerning public health, the same bench took suo motu cognizance of a newspaper report highlighting waterlogging and stagnant sewer water on a key road in Shaheen Bagh and Okhla. The court observed that an "open sewer can be a health hazard for residents" and ordered the Delhi Jal Board to immediately inspect the affected area and file a status report.
