Central government’s control over top officials of Delhi government?
Despite my repeated directions in multiple notes, working of Mohalla clinics was never inspected by the health secretary: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
These officers have been chosen and posted by the central government, not by the elected government in Delhi: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
Central government’s control over top officials of Delhi government ?
*Despite my repeated directions in multiple notes, working of Mohalla clinics was never inspected by the health secretary: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
Report – MPNN
NEW DELHI – 4th January 2024 – The fanaticism of the BJP government at the Center based on this saying – Sama-Daam-Dand-Bheda – has now completely taken the top officials of Delhi Government under its control. Whereas the top officials working in the Delhi State Government should have been completely under the control of the Delhi State, but in 2023, the BJP government at the Center made a law and passed it through its MPs and brought the top officials of the Delhi State Government under its control, due to which today Delhi The state government is now looking crippled and helpless. Whereas Delhi, already being a Union Territory, has retained the revenue and police departments from the state government. And now by taking the top officials of Delhi under his control, he also snatched away the crutch of Delhi government.
Delhi Health Minister Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj today refuted the allegation made by Bhartiya Janata Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi that more than 500 patients are being treated in each Mohalla Clinic (AAMC) of Delhi every day.
“This is very unfortunate and an old habit of BJP spokespersons to lie in their press conferences. This is a cheap tactic to defame the world-renowned model of Mohalla clinics in Delhi. To set the record straight, the data of OPD consultations in the 484 AAMCs functional during the month of December, 2023 is being provided,” he said.
As per the data:
Average per day OPD consultation & No. of AAMC
Less than 75 39
Count 76 -150 237
Count 151 -180 129
Count 181 -200 44
Count 201 -250 33
Count 250 – 301 2
From the above data, it is very clear that in 39 clinics, there was an average of less than 75 patients per day. In 237 Mohalla clinics, there was an average count of 76 to 150 patients per day. In 129 clinics, there was an average fall of 151 to 180 patients per day. Mohalla clinics with patient count of 181 to 200 per day were 44. In 33 clinics, the average patient footfall per day was between 201 to 250. The only two clinics which saw the highest footfall in the month of December were having between 250 to 301 patients per day.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the CBI probe ordered by the LG saab has vindicated his stand of wilful dereliction of duty by the Health Secretary and the then DGHS as the investigation in the matter is against the chosen ones of the LG and not against the elected Delhi government.
Speaking on the CBI probe recommended by the Lieutenant Governor concerning Mohalla Clinics, Delhi’s Health Minister stated, “On 20.09.2023 in a press conference I informed that complaints have been received against a few doctors of the Mohalla Clinics. The complaints had these doctors coming late to the clinic or leaving too early. Unlike any government offices, a robust attendance system was in place within the Mohalla Clinics which needed doctors to blink their eyes in front of the camera to mark their attendance, and they were supposed to do the same while leaving to record their exit.”
“As each technology has its loopholes, this has too. A few mischievous doctors exploited the system. These doctors handed over their pre-recorded video to the fellow Mohalla Clinic employees asking them to play this video in front of the camera to forge their attendance. Upon investigation, we also noticed that the doctor entered wearing a different colour dress and left in different clothes. Along with this, we discovered glare of light in the video, this happens when one records a video,” the Delhi Health Minister further added.
Minister Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj continued, “Twenty-six employees, including seven doctors were caught in such malpractices at different places. These doctors were supported by their staff in this practice. We fired these 26 employees and ordered strong action against them.”
It’s noteworthy that on 20.09.2023 in a Press Conference, Delhi’s Health Minister Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj informed that he had dismissed some doctors and staff who were coming late for duty at the Mohalla Clinics. These doctors and staff members were found to have tampered with the biometric system by marking their attendance in a fraudulent manner, causing inconvenience to the patients. Following complaints from the public, Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj conducted an investigation in the attendance of doctors and staff at seven Mohalla Clinics and this issue came to light.
Referring to the recommendation for the CBI probe, the Delhi Health Minister stated that this pertains to the aforementioned issue. As far as the Health Department is concerned, whether it’s attendance of staff at Mohalla Clinics or the quality of medicines, these issues are to be monitored by the health department officials. And overall, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) looks into this with the Health Secretary at the top of its hierarchy. “This is the responsibility of these officials to conduct random checks on their levels. Who’s appointed the DGHS? Who’s appointed the Health Secretary? We have not appointed them. The officials chosen by them are engaging in malpractices and they are recommending the CBI investigation. They are launching a probe against their chosen ones, not against us,” said Shri Bharadwaj.
Minister Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj reasoned, “We have already recommended the suspension of the Health Secretary in writing to the LG, and even in the Supreme Court. This is the first time I see that the BJP alleges corruption worth thousands of crores of rupees, but no action is taken. In minor issues of negligence, officials are dismissed or suspended. They say that thousands of people have been given substandard medicines yet they didn’t suspend anyone. They claim that corruption worth hundreds of crores has taken place within the Mohalla Clinics, but still, they don’t suspend the Health Secretary. What are they waiting for?”
After assumption of charge as Minister of Health in the month of March, 2023, the gist of directions given by me in order to improve & strengthen the quality of services in Mohalla clinics is as below:
*Directions given during the meeting held on 22.03.2023:*
“A uniform format for certification by CDMO regarding verification of number of OPD consultations made by the empanelled doctor may be designed by DGHS”.
*Directions given during the meeting held on 21.04.2023:*
“It was also decided that GDMOs between the age group of 62 years to 65 years promptly posted in Delhi Govt. Hospitals shall be posted in Office of CDMOs.
Each district shall constitute an inspection team (Flying Squad) consisting GDMOs between the ages group of 62years to 65 years age.
The inspection team shall physically inspect AAMCs wherein the OPD consultation is more than 125 per day. In case, it is found that number of consultations have been deliberately exaggerated then the concerned empanelled doctor shall be removed as per existing rules.”
The above directions of flying Squad was not implemented by the Health Secretary.
On 08.05.2023, an action taken report was sought latest by 11.05.2023 on the decisions taken in the meeting held on 21.04.2023
Even the ATR was not submitted by the Health Secretary.
On 12.06.2023, Secretary (H&FW) was directed to seek an explanation from the concerned officers for non-compliance of directions regarding submission of ATR by 11.05.2023 and was again directed to provide ATR latest by 20.06.2023.
Even this direction has not been complied by the Health Secretary.
*Directions given during the meeting held on 06.07.2023:*
“CDMOs to create a schedule for inspecting Delhi Govt. Dispensaries, Seed PUHCs & AAMCs situated in their respective district.
AAMCs having high footfall of patients should be run in two shifts i.e. morning shift and evening shift.
Biometric with facial recognition system to be installed in CDMO Offices, DGDs & Seed PUHCs (whether functioning in Government building or rental premises) and AAMCs (whether functioning in porta cabin or rental premises) through PWD.”
On 24.07.2023, Secretary (H&FW) was again requested to direct the concerned officers to provide the ATR latest by 31.07.2023.
Even these above directions were not complied by the Health Secretary.
The health minister, Mr Saurabh Bhardwaj said that directions given to the health secretary and the DGHS were not complied. Even after asking for the action taken report, there was no response from the Health secretary. If the health secretary is not complying with the directions of the minister, why no action taken against the health secretary ?
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