Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a surprise visit to the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) in Tahirpur on Saturday, taking stock of the medical services and infrastructure at the state-run facility. The inspection, which lasted over an hour, focused on patient care, cleanliness, and the availability of essential services.
Key Directives for Immediate Improvement
During his walkthrough, the Chief Minister issued several crucial directives to the hospital administration. The most significant order was to commence a 24-hour Out Patient Department (OPD) service at the earliest. This move is aimed at providing round-the-clock access to non-emergency medical consultations, easing the burden on emergency wards and making healthcare more accessible to the public.
Kejriwal also emphasized the need for improving the overall patient experience. He instructed officials to ensure that patients and their attendants are treated with dignity and respect. Furthermore, he called for a significant upgrade in the cleanliness and hygiene standards throughout the hospital premises, from waiting areas to wards.
Assessing Infrastructure and Patient Feedback
The CM's inspection was hands-on and detailed. He personally visited various sections of the hospital, including the OPD blocks, wards, and diagnostic areas. A key part of his assessment involved interacting directly with patients and their families to gather first-hand feedback about the quality of treatment, the behavior of staff, and any challenges they were facing.
Kejriwal reviewed the existing infrastructure and the operational capacity of the super-speciality hospital. He stressed the importance of utilizing the hospital's advanced equipment and specialist doctors to their full potential to serve the people of Delhi effectively. The administration was directed to streamline processes to reduce waiting times and ensure efficient service delivery.
Focus on Accountability and Future Vision
The surprise inspection underscores the Delhi government's increased focus on accountability and performance in public healthcare institutions. By visiting unannounced, the CM aimed to get a realistic picture of the hospital's daily functioning rather than a prepared showcase.
Officials from the hospital administration and the Delhi government's health department accompanied the Chief Minister. They were instructed to prepare and submit a concrete action plan to implement the given directives promptly. The goal is to transform RGSSH into a model super-speciality hospital that provides world-class, compassionate care free of cost to the citizens.
This inspection is part of a series of such visits to Delhi government hospitals, signaling a top-down push to identify gaps, enforce standards, and improve the public health system's reliability and trust among the populace.