Give details of functional diagnostic, radiological services in Govt hospitals: HC to Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court has told the city government to submit a list of all the government hospitals in the Capital and the “actual” diagnostic and radiological facilities, such as X-ray, MRI and CT scan, available there.

A bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora also sought to know whether the diagnostic machines in these hospitals are functional as well as the number of patients who underwent tests there in 2025.

The court order came while dealing with a suo-motu case it initiated in 2017 over the alleged lack of critical care in government hospitals here.

The Delhi government’s counsel informed the court that if the waiting period for MRI, CT scan and other radiological services is more than three days in government hospitals, there are 35 empanelled diagnostic centres where the patients can get free services.

Of these 35 centres, radiological services are available in some, the counsel said, adding that an amount of ₹80 crore was disbursed to these centres last year.

The court, however, observed that it is “not satisfied” with the government’s stand as there is no clarity on whether these 35 diagnostic centres are capable of carrying out radiological services, such as ultrasound, X-ray, MRI and CT scan, which are “very basic services” needed for patients.

It asked the city government to give details of all the 35 diagnostic centres and the kind of services available there, along with the number of patients who availed of the radiological services after being referred from government hospitals.

The court also asked the Delhi government and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to study the feasibility of making the data on availability of emergency facilities, trauma-related facilities and beds in government hospitals available on a real-time basis in a mobile application so that patients, police personnel who usually deal with accident victims, ambulance providers, private hospitals etc. can access it easily.

Further, it directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) to expedite the recruitment of several non-teaching staff, teaching staff, specialists and medical officers in government hospitals, adding that whenever medical superintendents or medical directors or directors of hospitals are due to retire, appropriate steps shall be taken in advance to ensure that the positions are filled on a timely basis.

The court also asked the Delhi government to ensure that the PM-JAY and PM-ABHIM schemes are rolled out and implemented in an efficient and robust manner, so that all the entitled citizens derive benefits from those.

Noting that there is a “lack of clarity” on whether the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme is in force, the court asked the authorities to file a status report.

The court posted the matter for further hearing on February 13.