On public awareness about dengue, Bhardwaj said there are plans to create awareness through radio advertisements. | Photo: PTI
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday said there is a shortage of nearly 30 per cent doctors and specialists in many hospitals, but no efforts have been made to fill these critical vacancies despite repeated requests to the lieutenant governor.
He said the LG’s office is citing excuses such as the prime minister’s unavailability and lack of NCCSA meeting to delay appointment to these posts.
Bharadwaj’s statement came during a press conference here, where he also discussed the series of measures taken by the Delhi government to combat the spread of dengue.
“We have requested that warnings and awareness announcements be made at all metro stations, bus stations and other public transport hubs to inform people about dengue prevention,” the minister said.
Stressing that it is very important that all government hospitals in the city are fully equipped to handle dengue cases, Bhardwaj said he has directed several actions to the health secretary but was not sure whether those steps have been implemented.
“I have directed the health secretary to visit one government hospital every day to ensure that all the necessary equipment to combat dengue is available. However, I am not sure whether these visits have started yet. If not, I will personally visit the hospitals and ensure that the regulations are followed,” the AAP minister said.
The minister further said he had held a meeting with the health secretary and other officials on Friday, where he noted that his earlier instructions have not yet been implemented.
“I have asked schools to require students to wear long sleeves as a protection measure against mosquito bites. We have asked all schools to ensure that students wear long sleeves, but I am not sure if this directive is being effectively enforced,” he added.
“I have also directed that the transport department of the police be informed about the breeding spots and have asked the district magistrate and sub-divisional magistrate to also take up the enforcement work,” the minister said.
Regarding public awareness on dengue, Bhardwaj said there are plans to create awareness through radio advertisements, campaigns, posters, hoardings, newspapers and advertisements at metro stations and public transport.
During the press conference, the health minister also accused the lieutenant governor’s office of spreading false rumours and deliberately obstructing the recruitment process in Delhi government hospitals.
Bhardwaj stressed that whenever a major crisis occurs in Delhi and the blame is placed on Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who has been appointed by the BJP-led central government, the response from the LG’s office is always evasive.
He cited a recent incident at the Asha Kiran Home Shelter, where 13 residents died due to lack of doctors and paramedical staff. Bhardwaj said this tragic loss was a direct result of the local government’s failure to appoint the necessary medical staff, despite having full control over transfers and destinations.
The minister further highlighted that the LG’s office had issued a misleading statement, alleging that the absence of a NCCSA meeting prevented the appointment of staff at Asha Kiran Home.
However, following a court order, these appointments were made without any NCCSA meeting, thereby exposing the lie propagated by the LG’s office, he added.
“Many hospitals are managed by a single director or medical superintendent, who is often overburdened with responsibilities due to lack of staff,” Bharadwaj said.
“Despite multiple letters sent to the LG, highlighting that nearly 30 per cent of the posts of doctors and specialists remain vacant, the LG’s office has responded with excuses such as the unavailability of the prime minister and the lack of a meeting of the NCCSA,” he said.
The National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) is headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi and includes the Principal Secretary and the Principal Secretary (Home), who acts as the Secretary of the body.
The panel was formed in May to take decisions on service matters, including transfer and posting of Group ‘A’ officers and disciplinary action against Delhi government officials.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: August 27, 2024 | 20:17 IS
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