Delhi polls: Why city doctors are finding themselves on the brink

- January 30, 2025
| By : Saurav Gupta |

Pushed to their limits by violence, neglect, and political apathy, the healthcare professionals demand urgent reforms

As the Delhi Assembly elections draw near, doctors working in the city’s government hospitals have renewed their calls for urgent reforms. Their demands centre on safety, adequate infrastructure, essential medical supplies, and a better working environment, which they argue are vital to improving public healthcare.

From escalating violence against medical professionals to the lack of basic amenities, doctors accuse the government of neglecting their plight. Despite repeated protests and incidents that have made headlines, they claim no significant measures have been implemented to address their concerns.

Speaking to Patriot, doctors expressed frustration with what they describe as “political apathy.” They allege that the authorities engage in blame-shifting rather than taking steps to ensure their safety or improve hospital conditions.

Safety and security: A growing concern

Safety remains a pressing issue for medical professionals. Dr Nitesh Kumar, Advisor to the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, highlighted this as their top demand.

“Despite several violent incidents at the hospital, including shootings, our calls for armed guards and visitor pass systems remain ignored,” he said.

GTB Hospital, one of the largest in Shahdara, serves patients from East Delhi and neighbouring states. It was in the news last year following a shooting incident where a 32-year-old patient lost his life.

Dr Vipin Kumar, President of the RDA at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, questioned how doctors could provide quality care if they fear for their own safety.

“The government must deploy armed security guards at all hospitals, especially in high-risk areas like emergency wards,” he said. “We need a safe environment to focus on treating patients effectively.”

The need for surveillance

Doctors also stressed the importance of installing CCTV cameras in hospital premises to deter violence.

Dr Rajat Sharma, President of the RDA at GTB Hospital, called CCTV coverage a “basic necessity.”

“Political leaders make promises after every incident to deflect blame, but no real action is taken. Hospitals without surveillance systems leave us vulnerable,” Sharma said.

He added that the upcoming government must prioritise this demand to safeguard both doctors and patients.

A neglected infrastructure

Doctors criticised the poor infrastructure in Delhi’s government hospitals, pointing to issues like overcrowding and inadequate staff. Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH), which has over 1,597 beds, was highlighted as an example of the burden on medical professionals.

Also Read: How Safdarjung Hospital is crumbling under its own weight

Dr Soumit Dey, President of the RDA at LNH, described the condition of Doctor’s Duty Rooms (DDRs) as “pathetic.”

“Doctors working 24-hour shifts are forced to rest on dirty bed sheets in poorly ventilated rooms, without even basic amenities like water coolers,” she said. “We urge the government to improve infrastructure so that doctors can take adequate rest and perform their duties better.”

Staff shortages further exacerbate the issue, with doctors often having to take on extended shifts due to insufficient personnel.

Essential supplies still lacking

Doctors also raised concerns about the shortage of essential medicines and diagnostic equipment.

Dr Vipin Kumar of the GTB hospital said, “Patients shouldn’t have to wait 10 days for basic medical tests or be forced to buy medicines at high prices from outside. The government must ensure that hospitals are equipped with adequate drugs and equipment.”

Political apathy 

Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government, a doctor from LNH speaking on the condition of anonymity said, “In the past five years, no development work has been carried out in the state government-run hospitals. The hospitals are being neglected by the AAP government.”

Doctors further claimed that during election time, political leaders focus on all other issues while ignoring the problems faced by medical professionals. “Healthcare infrastructure and the safety of staff should be a priority, but no party seems interested in addressing these issues,” said Kumar

“We also demand reduced working hours for postgraduate doctors and proper infrastructure to provide efficient and safe care,” he added.

Healthcare must become a political priority, and we are prepared to hold leaders accountable in the upcoming elections, said a doctor from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. Requesting anonymity, he added, “This time, our votes will reflect our need for real development, not hollow promises.”