CAG Report Unveils Expected Shortcomings in Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics

A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed serious shortcomings in Delhi's Mohalla clinics, raising concerns. The report highlighted critical issues such as minimal doctor-patient interaction, non-operational facilities, inadequate medical equipment, and a shortage of essential drugs, painting a disturbing picture of state-run healthcare operations.

Key Findings from the CAG Report

Doctors Spending Less Than a Minute with Patients

One of the most alarming revelations in the report is the extremely short consultation time between doctors and patients. The audit found that 70 percent of patients who visited these clinics from October 2022 to March 2023 received a consultation within a minute. This raises serious concerns about the quality of medical diagnosis and treatment offered at these facilities.

Unavailability of Basic Medical Goods and Services

The report also highlighted the absence of critical medical equipment in many clinics. Essential equipment such as pulse oximeters, glucometers, X-ray viewers, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors were missing, affecting patient care.

A large number of Mohalla clinics were found to be non-functional. The audit revealed that 18% of clinics remained closed for periods ranging from 15 days to nearly two years due to physician shortages, resignations, and depaneling. Out of the 218 clinics assessed in the Northeast, South, Southwest, and West districts, 41 were closed at the time of the assessment, disrupting access to healthcare for residents.

From November 16, 2022, to December 14, 2022, laboratory services were completely unavailable in all neighborhood clinics. No alternative arrangements were made for essential diagnostic tests, significantly reducing the scope of medical services provided to patients.

Infrastructure and Expansion Concerns

Unfulfilled Goals

Despite a decade of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule, only 53 percent of the planned Mohalla clinics have been established. The AAP government had promised to set up 1,000 clinics. However, as of March 2023, only 523 were operational. During the second term of the AAP, only 38 new clinics were added, raising concerns about the government's commitment.

Delays in the project have further hindered the expansion of Mohalla clinics.

Lack of Facilities in Clinics

An evaluation of 81 clinics uncovered several operational deficiencies:

• 10 clinics lacked clean drinking water.

• 24 clinics did not have air conditioning, which is crucial for storing medicines.

• 21 clinics did not have toilet facilities.

• 6 clinics operated without proper examination tables.

• 29 clinics lacked fire extinguishers, raising safety concerns.

• 12 clinics were not accessible to differently-abled persons.

• 20 clinics did not provide privacy screens for patients.

Dr. Munish Kumar Raizada, (MD, FAAP), President, Bharatiya Liberal Party, took to Twitter to quote, "As a doctor, I am appalled at the grave deficiencies in healthcare delivery of just ousted AAP govt in Delhi state as per CAG report tabled in Delhi legislative assembly today."

Monitoring Failures

The CAG report also found significant failures in the monitoring of Mohalla clinics. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) mandated quarterly inspections by Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) teams in 2018. By December 2019, another directive required CDMOs to inspect at least one clinic per month and verify 10% of outpatient enrollments through patient contact numbers. However, between March 2018 and March 2023, only 175 inspections were conducted—just 1.5% of the required 11,191 visits—indicating poor monitoring and accountability.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)