Delhi’s mohalla clinics, once a revolutionary step towards accessible healthcare, are under scrutiny following a damning audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The report highlights alarming deficiencies, including doctors spending less than a minute per patient, a lack of critical medical equipment, and major operational gaps, according to a Times of India (ToI) report. These shortcomings severely undermine the promise of efficient and affordable healthcare for all.
Mohalla Clinics Falling Short on Patient Care
A key revelation in the audit shows that 70% of patient consultations lasted less than a minute, raising concerns about the quality of diagnosis and treatment. Essential medical tools like pulse oximeters, glucometers, X-ray viewers, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors were missing from many clinics, further compromising patient care.
Non-Operational Clinics and Doctor Shortages
The audit found that 18% of mohalla clinics were non-operational for periods ranging from 15 days to nearly two years due to a shortage of doctors, resignations, and de-empanelment. Of the 218 clinics assessed across North East, South, South West, and West districts, 41 were closed at the time of evaluation, reducing healthcare access for residents.
Critical Medicine Shortages and Supply Chain Issues
An audit of 74 clinics revealed that none maintained the full stock of 165 essential medicines listed in the Essential Drug List (EDL). Supply chain inefficiencies resulted in long delays (three to six months) in fulfilling medicine orders, further impacting patient care.
Lack of Laboratory Services
From November 16, 2022, to December 14, 2022, laboratory services were entirely unavailable at mohalla clinics, with no alternative arrangements for diagnostic tests. This disruption significantly reduced the scope of available medical services.
Infrastructure Failures and Safety Concerns
Despite the AAP government’s promise to establish 1,000 mohalla clinics, only 523 were operational by March 2023. Additionally, an analysis of 81 clinics revealed multiple infrastructure deficiencies:
- 10 clinics lacked potable water
- 24 clinics had no air-conditioning, endangering medicine storage
- 21 clinics had no toilet facilities
- 6 clinics lacked examination tables
- 29 clinics operated without fire extinguishers
- 12 clinics were inaccessible to differently-abled patients
- 20 clinics lacked privacy screens for patient consultations
Poor Monitoring and Oversight
However, between March 2018 and March 2023, only 175 inspections were carried out instead of the required 11,191—just 1.5% of the target. This lack of oversight has further exacerbated operational inefficiencies.
Financial Mismanagement and Delayed Expansion
From 2016 to 2023, Rs 35.16 crore was allocated for constructing primary health centres, yet only 28% (Rs 9.8 crore) of funds were utilized. Project delays and underutilization of resources have slowed the expansion of mohalla clinics, limiting their reach and effectiveness.
Conclusion
The CAG audit paints a grim picture of Delhi’s mohalla clinics, revealing widespread deficiencies in patient care, medicine availability, infrastructure, and monitoring. Despite years of governance and significant budget allocations, the mohalla clinic network remains far from its promised efficiency, putting the health of thousands of Delhi residents at risk.
