New Delhi. Delhi High Court has ordered a surprise audit of 38 Delhi government hospitals to check whether the NextGen e-HMIS portal is being properly implemented. The court wants to ensure that patients receive accurate, real-time information about ICU beds and emergency medical services through the digital platform. The move comes after concerns that the online data did not match the actual availability of hospital facilities.
Details of Delhi HC Delhi Government Hospital Audit
The Delhi High Court directed the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to conduct surprise inspections of 38 government hospitals in Delhi. The order was passed by a bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora during the hearing of an ongoing suo motu case related to healthcare services in the national capital.
What Is the NextGen e-HMIS Portal
The NextGen e-Hospital Management Information System (e-HMIS) is a digital platform developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Its main purpose is to:
- Show real-time ICU bed availability.
- Display emergency treatment services.
- Digitize hospital records.
- Improve patient care and faster treatment.
- Help hospitals manage healthcare services more efficiently.
What is the Reason of Delhi HC Delhi Government Hospital Audit
The court acted after learning about a patient who was reportedly denied an ICU bed at Lok Nayak Hospital. According to the patient’s family, the NextGen e-HMIS portal showed that two ICU beds were available, but the hospital refused admission.
The court also noted that calls made to the contact numbers listed on the website were not answered properly. This raised concerns about whether the system was being used correctly.
Delhi HC Delhi Government Hospital Audit: Key Directions Issued by the Court
The Delhi High Court instructed NIC to complete surprise audits by July 31. The audit will examine:
- Whether ICU bed data shown online is accurate.
- Whether hospital helpline calls are answered properly.
- Whether all hospitals are using the NextGen e-HMIS portal in a uniform manner.
- Whether there are any technical or operational gaps in implementation.
Additional Directions
The court also directed the Delhi government to:
- Give a live demonstration of the NextGen e-HMIS platform and the “ICU Beds Saarthi” system.
- Consider launching a toll-free helpline for emergency medical information.
- Appoint a nodal officer to coordinate patient referrals so that patients are not turned away unnecessarily.
- Provide logistical support, including vehicles, to help NIC complete the audit.
Concern Over Unused Medical Equipment
During the hearing, the court was informed that medical equipment worth more than ₹15 crore was lying unused in a hospital because staff had not received proper training. The judges described this as a gross waste of public resources and emphasized the need for better utilization of healthcare infrastructure.
