In a startling exposure that highlights the deepening healthcare crisis in Delhi, the prestigious Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital is operating with just two CT scan machines to serve a staggering 3,500 patients daily. This critical shortage has been flagged by the Delhi High Court amicus curiae, bringing to light the alarming state of medical infrastructure at one of the city's major government hospitals.
The Alarming Patient-to-Machine Ratio
The sheer scale of the crisis becomes evident when examining the numbers. With only two functional CT scanners available, each machine is theoretically required to handle approximately 1,750 patients daily - an impossible task that's resulting in dangerous delays in diagnosis and treatment.
"The situation is particularly dire in emergency cases," noted the court-appointed amicus, emphasizing how critical time is being lost when every minute counts for patients suffering from strokes, traumatic injuries, and other life-threatening conditions.
Tribune's Investigative Journalism Triggers Action
This healthcare crisis came to the forefront following an impactful investigative report by The Tribune, which first exposed the severe infrastructure gaps at the hospital. The newspaper's relentless pursuit of the story compelled the judicial system to take notice and intervene.
The amicus curiae's report to the Delhi High Court specifically highlighted how the equipment shortage is compromising patient care across multiple departments, from emergency medicine to specialized treatments requiring timely diagnostic imaging.
Broader Implications for Delhi's Healthcare System
This case represents more than just equipment shortage at a single hospital. It exposes the systemic failures in maintaining and upgrading medical infrastructure in government healthcare facilities across the national capital.
"When a hospital of GTB's stature faces such fundamental equipment shortages, it raises serious questions about the state of public healthcare infrastructure in Delhi," the report indicated, suggesting this might be just the tip of the iceberg.
What This Means for Patients
- Dangerous delays in diagnosis of critical conditions
- Extended waiting periods for essential scans
- Compromised emergency care and trauma management
- Potential worsening of medical conditions due to delayed treatment
- Increased burden on already stressed healthcare professionals
The Delhi High Court's intervention, triggered by The Tribune's groundbreaking report, now puts pressure on health authorities to address this crisis immediately and ensure that essential medical equipment meets the overwhelming patient demand at GTB Hospital.
