New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has outlined a series of measures to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the national capital, with an emphasis on expanding hospital facilities, increasing medical education capacity, strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving access to affordable treatment.
Speaking at the inauguration of a newly established In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centre at Sant Parmanand Hospital on November 3, Gupta highlighted the government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery through public investment, technological interventions and collaboration with private healthcare institutions.
She also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in developing Delhi as a major medical hub.
Ayushman Bharat Coverage Increased to ₹10 Lakh
The Chief Minister highlighted the expansion of health insurance coverage under Ayushman Bharat in Delhi.
Read Also: Delhi Plans 3.3-km Netaji Subhash Marg Redevelopment with Heritage Park and Improved Public Spaces
The state government has added ₹5 lakh to the Centre’s existing ₹5 lakh annual health coverage, taking the combined coverage to ₹10 lakh per eligible family.
According to figures shared by Gupta:
- More than 8.94 lakh Ayushman cards have been approved in Delhi.
- Over 3.09 lakh senior citizens above 70 years have enrolled under the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme.
- More than 5.28 lakh beneficiaries associated with widow and disability pensions, along with their families, have received coverage.
415 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Hospital Projects Worth ₹503 Crore
The Delhi Government is also expanding primary healthcare facilities and strengthening infrastructure at existing government hospitals.
Gupta said the following developments had been undertaken:
- 415 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been operationalised across Delhi.
- 29 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established to improve access to affordable medicines.
- Five major hospital infrastructure projects worth ₹503.49 crore are underway.
- A Neuro Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU) has been developed at GB Pant Hospital.
- 300 dialysis machines have been made available across 16 government hospitals.
These initiatives form part of the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare facilities at both primary and advanced treatment levels.
MBBS Seats to Increase from 595 to 820
To expand medical education capacity and strengthen the availability of trained healthcare professionals, the Delhi Government is increasing the number of medical seats in the capital.
The proposed expansion includes:
- MBBS seats: To increase from 595 to 820.
- Postgraduate (PG) medical seats: To increase from 553 to 762.
A new medical college is also being developed at Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka, with an estimated investment of ₹805.99 crore.
The expansion is aimed at increasing opportunities for medical education in Delhi.
Over 4,000 Additional Healthcare Posts Approved
The Chief Minister also highlighted recruitment measures undertaken to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
According to her, the government has:
- Appointed more than 1,200 nurses.
- Recruited 954 senior resident doctors.
- Approved over 4,000 additional healthcare positions.
The recruitment measures are intended to strengthen staffing across government healthcare institutions.
Digital Healthcare and Preventive Screening Initiatives
Delhi is also expanding the use of digital technology in healthcare administration and service delivery.
Gupta shared that more than one crore ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) IDs had been generated in the capital.
Additionally, the Digital Health Management System has been implemented across 38 government hospitals.
The government has also undertaken several preventive healthcare initiatives, including:
- Newborn screening: 56 types of free tests are being provided for newborns.
- Cancer screening: 10,000 free cancer screenings are being conducted.
- HPV vaccination: Free vaccination initiatives are being offered to girls aged between 9 and 14 years.
New IVF Centre Inaugurated at Sant Parmanand Hospital
The Chief Minister inaugurated a newly developed IVF Centre at Sant Parmanand Hospital in Civil Lines, Delhi, on November 3.
The facility will provide specialised reproductive healthcare services for couples facing infertility and related reproductive health challenges.
Its services include:
- In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
- Fertility-related clinical assessments and diagnostic investigations.
- Specialised treatment and patient counselling.
The centre will be supported by fertility specialists and embryologists to provide medical guidance and treatment.
During the inauguration, Gupta emphasised the importance of cooperation between government institutions and private healthcare providers in expanding specialised medical services.
She also referred to the World Health Organization’s benchmark of five hospital beds per 1,000 people, noting that Delhi currently has approximately two government hospital beds per 1,000 people, while the combined availability across government and private hospitals is around 2.5 beds per 1,000 people.
Read Also: Delhi Plans 1 Lakh Smart Streetlights, 50,000 CCTV Cameras to Strengthen Women’s Safety
