The Arvind Kejriwal government in New Delhi has asserted that senior officials in the Health Department, appointed by the central government, are responsible for overseeing diagnostic labs amid allegations of a scam in pathology and radiology tests conducted in Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic (AAMC).
In a press conference, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj disclosed that certain doctors were caught recording videos to fraudulently mark their attendance through an app. Consequently, 26 personnel, including seven doctors and staff, were terminated. Bhardwaj emphasized the officials’ responsibility in verifying information, whether in Mohalla clinics or medicine stores.
The Delhi government has urged the removal of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Health Secretary, officials not appointed by them, as part of the ongoing investigation led by the Lieutenant Governor (LG). The government’s plea aligns with a Supreme Court directive, stressing the need for prompt action in such cases.
Meanwhile, the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over alleged procurement and supply of spurious drugs in government hospitals and mohalla clinics. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of being complicit in the pathology scam, implicating former Health Minister Manish Sisodia and current Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.
Recently, Delhi LG VK Saxena recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged ‘Fake lab tests’ in Aam Aadmi Mohalla clinics. The probe uncovered the use of fake/non-existent mobile numbers for patient entries and pre-recorded videos for marking attendance.
Lab inquiry reports revealed irregularities, such as a mobile number ‘9999999999’ appearing 3092 times for different patients between July to Sept 2023. The Directorate of Family Welfare also flagged unethical practices by AAMC doctors, leading to empanelled staff dispensing medicines without authorization, endangering patients’ lives.
Action was taken against the implicated staff, with show cause notices issued to concerned officials. The department emphasized the need for a priority review of lab diagnostics services conducted by the defaulting AAMC doctors.
As the investigation unfolds, concerns persist over the alleged pathology scam and its potential impact on healthcare services in Delhi.
