'Imagine not having basic MRI, radiology services in govt hospitals': Delhi HC questions health secretary, orders report

NEW DELHI: It is better to accept that Delhi govt hospitals do not have basic MRI and radiological services, an unhappy Delhi High Court told the health secretary on Thursday.During a hearing to review progress in implementing key directions by a court-appointed committee to upgrade govt hospitals, the court also demanded details of their functional radiological services. "Imagine not having basic MRI and radiology services in govt hospitals. There are not that many private diagnostic centres in the city to cater to such patients. It means the whole of Delhi has no radiological services. Better to accept. This means in govt hospitals no MRIs/CT scans etc are happening. You are the health secretary, you have to answer to yourself," a special bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora orally observed.The strong remarks came after govt claimed it had 35 diagnostic centres on the panel where patients could get radiological services. "We knew there is a catch. We are not satisfied. There is no clarity if these diagnostic centres are capable of MRI, ultrasound, CT scan. Prepare a chart," the bench said as it pointed out that the majority of these centres were private units.It ordered the health secretary to furnish a report giving details of "actual radiological services" available in govt hospitals and asked for the number of patients who underwent these tests.HC further directed the health department to furnish a list of all diagnostic centres and the kind of services available at the 35 centres, including how many patients availed of radiological services after being referred to by govt. The court also wants details of the funds disbursed to these centres last year. The judges underlined the "criticality of radiological services" in govt hospitals, which was also flagged by the Sarin committee, which had recommended strengthening Delhi's healthcare system. In a separate matter, the same bench took note of a TOI report that highlighted how, in Shaheen Bagh and Okhla, a key road remained submerged under stagnant gutter water. It pointed out that an "open sewer can be a health hazard for residents" and ordered Delhi Jal Board to inspect the area and file a report.