New Delhi [India]: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has exposed large-scale wastage of unused medical supplies at GTB Hospital, including oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and PPE kits left to deteriorate since the COVID-19 pandemic. Following an inspection on Tuesday, Gupta criticized the previous AAP government for its alleged mismanagement of healthcare resources.
Gupta revealed that essential medical equipment worth crores of rupees had been lying unused, while hospital facilities remained in a non-functional state. “The entire godown is stuffed. There are 458 oxygen concentrators, 146 ventilators, 36,000 PPE kits, and a lot of other medical equipment lying here since the time of COVID-19,” she stated. She also highlighted that seven semi-permanent hospital structures, collectively worth Rs. 12,000 crores, were incomplete and lacked basic medical facilities.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa and BJP Leaders Criticize AAP
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa launched a scathing attack on the previous AAP government, accusing it of negligence. “Chief Minister Rekha Gupta found sealed oxygen concentrators and rotten wasted PPE kits which could have been used when people of Delhi were in agony during COVID. When these facilities had to be used, Arvind Kejriwal was busy making his liquor policy,” Sirsa remarked.
He further alleged that the previous government’s health model led to the wastage of resources worth crores. “This was Arvind Kejriwal’s health model where equipment worth crores of rupees was wasted,” he added.
BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal also accused AAP of negligence and misuse of healthcare resources, claiming that the party deliberately left essential medical supplies unutilized during the pandemic. He suggested that AAP’s inaction might have been politically motivated to avoid credit going to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The AAP government had zero interest in the health of the people of Delhi… If people had received these medical facilities during COVID-19, they could have thanked PM Narendra Modi. Maybe that’s why AAP let these facilities go to waste,” Khandelwal stated.
System in Shambles: Rekha Gupta’s Criticism
Gupta condemned the state of Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure, stating that the whole system was defunct. “Patients are not able to get their treatment, and doctors are embarrassed… Only one MD is working for four huge hospitals,” she said.
She also dismissed the AAP government’s much-touted health and education model as “zero,” pointing to the mismanagement of funds and the incomplete hospital projects as evidence.
Political Tensions Rise
The revelations have escalated tensions between the ruling BJP in Delhi and the AAP. The BJP has intensified its criticism, accusing AAP of corruption and mismanagement during its tenure. The AAP, however, is yet to respond to the allegations made by the Delhi Chief Minister and BJP leaders.
Meanwhile, CM Rekha Gupta hosted a ‘Jan Milan Samaroh’ at her residence on Wednesday, where a large crowd gathered to show their support.
Key Highlights:
- Wastage Uncovered: 458 oxygen concentrators, 146 ventilators, 36,000 PPE kits unused since COVID-19.
- Incomplete Projects: Seven hospital buildings worth Rs. 12,000 crores remain unfinished.
- BJP’s Accusation: Previous AAP government accused of negligence and mismanagement.
- Healthcare System: Described as defunct by CM Rekha Gupta.
- Political Tension: Escalating between BJP and AAP in Delhi.