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Finds 400 Ventilators, 910 Oxygen Concentrators Idle at GTB Hospital
In a significant public health intervention, the on , expressed shock over large quantities of medical equipment lying unused in government hospitals, including 400 ventilators and 910 oxygen concentrators at . A division bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, hearing a petition concerning healthcare infrastructure in the national capital, directed urgent corrective measures across 26 hospitals.
The court was reviewing an audit of 38 hospitals' implementation of the NextGen e-Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) and the status of ICU bed availability. While the audit found that displayed ICU bed counts largely matched actual availability, it noted inconsistencies in module usage and non-responsive emergency phone lines. The court also received a detailed list of unused equipment, revealing a systemic failure to operationalize costly diagnostic and treatment machines.
The bench singled out GTB Hospital, observing that even its ECG machine was non-functional, leaving the facility likely operating without one. At
, a substantial portion of equipment—essential for cancer diagnosis and treatment—remained idle due to missing manpower or accessories. The court noted,
"The unused equipment is also extremely critical and is to be used in diagnosis and treatment of cancer... it is unclear as to why such equipment is being permitted to lie unused after enormous investment having been made into the same."
The court directed the Secretaries of to hold a joint meeting with medical superintendents of all 26 hospitals on , to formulate a hospital-wise action plan covering technical manpower, equipment reallocation, removal of condemned items, and recruitment timelines. It also sought a clearer proposal on a unified toll-free helpline, likely to be operated by the , and details of a proposed Referral Coordinator.
The matter will next be heard on , with the authorities directed to file comprehensive status reports two days prior. The order underscores the judiciary's growing role in ensuring that public healthcare investments translate into tangible patient services, not idle machinery.
