NEW DELHI: Amidst the ongoing tug of war between Raj Niwas and Delhi government over rejection of doorstep delivery of services scheme, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday approved the Delhi Health Department's decision for provision of free treatment for medico-legal victims of road accidents, acid attack and burn injuries.
Termed the move as a step n the right direction, the LG also approved the Department's proposal for outsourcing of diagnostic (non-radiological) services to provide free laboratory services at Mohalla clinics, Polyclinics and Mobile Health Clinics.
The Delhi Cabinet had, on December 12, approved cover of 100 per cent costs on treatment of victims of road accidents.
Further, Baijal also concurred with the amendments to the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme to provide financial assistance for specified high-end diagnostic (radiological) tests/surgeries.
However, noting that the original purpose of the scheme was to help the poor and needy in the society, and that the Planning Department too has advised to keep an income ceiling, the LG advised to retain some income ceiling.
This, he said, would ensure that government resources are used to help the poor and the needy, and the poor are not crowded out by the well-to-do.
Baijal also noted that the focus of these schemes appeared to be on outsourcing and there is no mention in the proposal about any action plan to strengthen the diagnostic infrastructure in the government institutions.
The LG further stressed that for a robust healthcare system, government institutions also need to be strengthened, as the healthcare system cannot be left entirely in the hands of private sector.
He asserted that complete transparency and relevant procedures/guidelines should be followed strictly, while empanelling private hospitals.
Baijal also emphasized on evolving a mechanism to ensure that unnecessary tests are not prescribed by hospitals, in collusion with private medical centres.
Further, the quality of tests and the private institutions empanelled for these tests also should be ensured through appropriate penalties in case of malpractices as well as poor quality, the LG observed.
Baijal additionally advised that the Administrative Department should develop a system of online Aadhaar-based biometric system tracking of patients, to ensure proper follow-up and to prevent any malpractices, given the financial implications.