New Delhi: Delhi High Court Friday expressed concern over equipment worth several crores lying unused in Delhi govt-run hospitals and sought a report in this regard.A special bench of justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora observed that a large quantity of critical equipment, manufactured by globally acclaimed companies, was not being used in hospitals such as Delhi State Cancer Institute and GTB Hospital. It noted that according to a report tendered to it, the reasons for non-usage include lack of technical manpower as well as the absence of accessories and principal equipment.“In the cancer hospital, we have equipment worth Rs 50-60 crore (lying) unused. It looks like that… The situation in GTB Hospital is also shocking, where there are 400 ventilators and 910 oxygen concentrators lying unused. These were donated during Covid-19… Even the ECG machine is non-functional, and there is no other ECG machine mentioned in the report,” the bench pointed out.The amount of equipment lying unused is extremely high and it is not clear why the said equipment is being permitted to lie unused after enormous investments have been made, HC noted.It directed the health secretary to hold a meeting with the medical superintendents of the hospitals and the secretary (services) on the issue and file a report.The court said various govt authorities will analyse the situation of each hospital and consider taking steps with respect to providing manpower, reallocation of unused equipment where needed, providing of accessories and principal equipment.“The said meeting shall take place on Aug 17 at 11:30 am in the office of the secretary, health, who shall file a comprehensive report on all aspects,” ordered the court.Last month, HC had directed all hospitals under Delhi govt to conduct an audit and file a report on all the machinery lying unused after being purchased.The court was hearing a suo motu case it initiated in 2017 over the alleged lack of critical care in govt hospitals here.
