Delhi HC Demands Audit of Unused Medical Equipment in Govt Hospitals
Delhi High Court orders an audit of unused medical equipment in government hospitals, citing wasted public funds.
The Delhi High Court has issued a directive for a comprehensive audit of unused medical equipment across all government hospitals in the capital. This order comes after revelations about the non-operational status of expensive equipment at the Delhi State Cancer Institute, highlighting significant wastage of public resources.
High Court's Intervention
In response to a submission by court-appointed amicus curiae Ashok Aggarwal, the court identified the prolonged inactivity of the PET Cyclotron equipment. This machinery, essential for PET scans, was acquired at a substantial cost of Rs 15.42 crore. Nevertheless, it has remained idle due to delays in faculty appointments and necessary approvals. A specialist was only recently recruited from Safdarjung Hospital in February.
A special bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora expressed concern over the financial implications of such unused equipment. They emphasized the need for accountability and transparency, ordering all Delhi government hospitals to audit and report on their unused medical machinery. Hospitals are required to file affidavits detailing the equipment's purpose, cost, purchase year, and reasons for non-utilization.
Revelations of Equipment Inactivity
The issue was further underscored by Aggarwal's note, which highlighted that a PET Trace-10 Medical Cyclotron machine, installed in September 2017, has been non-functional since April 2022 due to a lack of trained personnel. Compounding the problem, its regulatory license expired in February 2024 and has not been renewed.
Dr. Pragya Shukla, head of clinical oncology at the Delhi State Cancer Institute, confirmed the equipment's non-operational status, citing pending approvals as a significant hurdle. The court has set a deadline for the submission of affidavits by medical superintendents, at least five days before the next court hearing.
Implications for Public Health Management
This directive by the Delhi High Court signals a push towards better management of public health resources. The audit aims to prevent further financial waste and ensure that costly medical equipment fulfills its intended purpose in providing healthcare services.
The court's decision reflects a growing demand for accountability in the public healthcare sector, where efficient utilization of resources is crucial. The outcomes of this audit could prompt significant changes in how government hospitals manage their equipment, potentially leading to improved healthcare delivery for the city's residents.