Outgoing medical superintendent (MS) of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial hospital, who was called 'powerful' and 'well-connected' by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his letter to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal for holding the post of MS, had earlier expressed his desire to not to take this position. In a series of emails to L-G and Chief Secretary, Dr SC Chandra has made some shocking revelations about the loopholes in the functioning of the health department.
Dr SC Chandra wrote how he expressed his disinterest in taking up the post of medical superintendent of the hospital as he wanted to continue with his clinical practice. In 2016, he had made a written representation to the health secretary to let him continue with his clinical post.
"There was no response from the government to my representation. Even though I personally went and met senior officers of the health ministry requesting them for an early decision," Chandra wrote in his email.
Even after repeated requests, he was asked to take up the administrative job in March this year. In his complaint, he also made allegations against AAP MLA Rakhi Birla for interfering in the day-to-day functioning of the hospital.
"It is failure on part of the government's Central Procurement Agency (CPA) to timely supply and replenish a large number of medicines and consumables to hospitals that lies at the root of the problem. As all power has been vested in the central agency and individual hospitals have not been delegated any power to procure medicines or consumables," he further wrote.
Kejriwal, on May 25, paid a surprise visit to the hospital and expressed his displeasure over the policy of free medicine and diagnostic tests "not being properly implemented" there. Vowing to take action, he cautioned the authorities at the hospital to ensure proper functioning of the hospital.
Alleging deficiencies, Kejriwal then wrote to L-G Anil Baijal and sought removal of the medical superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital.
"This man (the medical superintendent) must be powerful and well connected to first get posting as MS and then continue despite CM's direction of removing him," Kejriwal said in his letter to the L-G.
He also apprised Baijal about the lack of availability of medicines and other facilities to conduct diagnostic tests in the city government-run hospital at Mongolpuri.
