Delhi mayor upset over ‘underutilisation’ of MCD buildings, staff shortage at civic hospitals

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi came down heavily on the lack of utilisation of the buildings under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other civic facilities.

Oberoi on Monday took a surprise inspection of the Balakram Hospital in Timarpur and was left displeasured at the situation.

“MCD buildings are not being properly utilised,” she said on Monday, and added that there is a shortage of doctors and nursing staff in hospitals.

Health facilities of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been in a deplorable condition for a long time, she said.

“There is a huge shortage of staff. Because of this, everything from treatment to examination of patients is being affected negatively. For this reason, fewer and fewer patients come to the hospitals for treatment,” an MCD statement quoted Oberoi as saying.

Highlighting the shortage of doctors and nursing staff, she said it is difficult to treat patients expediently in these hospitals.

Oberoi also took feedback from the patients regarding the facilities at the hospital during her visit.

“The mayor’s surprise inspection found shortage of radiologists, doctors and other staff. The hospital management informed her that this condition of the hospital has been prevailing for the last several years,” the statement read.

Oberoi said, “The MCD has good buildings but they are not being put to good use, mainly because there is a shortage of required staff, including doctors and nurses]. If there are no doctors and nursing staff then how will the treatment be done?”

She added that under the vision of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the health model of the Delhi government will be shortly implemented in the MCD.

(With PTI inputs)