Alleged supply of sub-standard drugs in Delhi government hospitals and mohalla clinics has pitted the ruling AAP against the opposition BJP in the city.
Accusations of providing low-quality drugs in Delhi government medical facilities, including mohalla clinics, have sparked a confrontation between the ruling AAP and the Opposition BJP. The BJP alleges that the ruling party accepted kickbacks to permit the distribution of substandard medication, potentially risking people’s lives.
The political war of words has forced Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj to take corrective measures, after the outcry over the alleged scam, asking officials to withdraw the supply of substandard quality drugs in Delhi government hospitals with immediate effect.
The BJP has blamed the health minister over the supply of poor-quality drugs in the government hospitals and sought his and CM Kejriwal’s resignation. “The Kejriwal government’s health model stands exposed for corruption and non-performance,” said Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva.
The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also staged a demonstration near Aam Adami Party headquarters earlier in the week. Sachdeva said “Another sample arrived, and that was also found to be fake. The tender for the medicines whose samples were found to be fake had ended.”
Sachdeva added, “The CM used to claim that his government’s health model was a pioneer in the country, but today the Kejriwal government’s health model stands exposed, inundated with corruption and non-performance.”
Adding further Sachdeva said that both Kejriwal and Bhardwaj knew from July 2023 about fake medicines but did not take any steps to stop their distribution, which proves their connivance in the medicines scam.
Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, the leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly, also criticised the Aam Adami Party government over the supply of sub-standard drugs in the Delhi government hospital. He emphasised that the issue of sub-standard medicines is not just a matter of corruption, as it puts people’s lives at risk. He said, “Those responsible for this should face strict action.”
Similarly, the Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely demanded that there should be a medical board to look into the issue and added that it is a “serious matter” and action should be taken against the culprits after an investigation.
Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena has recommended a CBI inquiry over the supply of “fake” drugs in Delhi government hospitals. Following Lt Gov recommendation MHA has ordered CBI probe over the issue.
Earlier in a note to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the Lt Governor mentioned that it is a matter of concern that these medicines are being given to lakhs of patients.
“It is with a sense of deep concern that I have perused the file. I am, to say the least, anguished at the fact that lakhs of hapless people and patients are being supplied fake drugs that have failed quality standard tests,” read the note of LG to Kumar.
“Drugs procured by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the Delhi Health Services (DHS) were supplied to Delhi government hospitals and may also have been supplied to the ‘’Mohalla Clinics’’, the Lt Governor said in his note.