A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed significant lapses in the functioning of Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics, a flagship healthcare initiative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The report highlights shocking mismanagement, including the storage of medicine boxes in toilets and staircases, inadequate ventilation, and the unavailability of essential drugs for months. The findings have sparked a political debate, with demands for the government to table all CAG reports in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Key Findings of the CAG Report
- Improper Storage of Medicines
- Medicine boxes were found stored in toilets, staircases, and on the floor in several Mohalla Clinics.
- The drug storage facility in South Delhi lacked proper ventilation and air conditioning, compromising the quality of medicines.
- Shortage of Essential Drugs
- Between January 2022 and April 2023, 26 essential drugs were unavailable for 1 to 16 months in the drug store of the North-East district.
- Across districts, 10% to 37% of medicines required for dispensaries were missing.
- Lack of Monitoring and Inspections
- Only 175 out of 11,191 required inspections were conducted in 218 Mohalla Clinics between March 2018 and March 2023.
- The lack of regular inspections has led to poor maintenance and mismanagement of these clinics.
- Decline in Patient Footfall in AYUSH Dispensaries
- AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) dispensaries are also in poor condition due to a shortage of doctors and basic facilities.
- Outpatient departments (OPDs) in 68% of Ayurvedic, 72% of Unani, and 17% of Homeopathy dispensaries remain non-functional for six days a week.
- The number of patients visiting AYUSH dispensaries dropped from 34.72 lakh in 2016-17 to 28.13 lakh in 2022-23.
- Additionally, 42% of Ayurvedic and 56% of Unani medicines were unavailable in these dispensaries.
- Inadequate Health Check-ups for School Children
- Between 2016 and 2020, only 2.81 lakh to 3.51 lakh out of 17 lakh school students underwent health check-ups, far below the target.
Political Reactions
Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav has criticized the AAP government and demanded that all CAG reports related to the AAP’s tenure be tabled in the Legislative Assembly. He accused the BJP of failing to fulfill its promise to present all CAG reports during the first session of the Assembly, highlighting that only the excise policy report was discussed. Yadav alleged that the BJP is complicit in hiding the truth about corruption during the AAP’s rule.
Demands for Transparency
Yadav emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging the government to present the remaining 13 CAG reports in the Assembly. He stated that the public has the right to know about the mismanagement and irregularities in various government schemes, including the Mohalla Clinics.
Conclusion
The CAG report has raised serious concerns about the mismanagement of Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics and AYUSH dispensaries. The findings highlight the need for immediate corrective measures, including better storage facilities, regular inspections, and the availability of essential drugs. The political tussle over the report underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. The Delhi government must address these issues to restore public trust in its healthcare initiatives.
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