A complaint was filed before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding severe shortage of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff in major Central Government hospitals in Delhi, which resulted in the violation of the patients’ Right to Health and Human Dignity under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The complaint was based on recent data tabled in the Rajya Sabha that revealed an alarming and systematic manpower crisis in the said hospitals, which serve as tertiary referral centres for patients from across the country. It was alleged that across VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, ABVIMS-RML Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, nearly 21% of the sanctioned doctor posts remain vacant. It was also submitted that the situation was grave at the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), where 34.8% of doctor posts are vacant, and 87.8% of nursing posts remain unfilled, crippling healthcare delivery at grassroot level.

ALSO READ: Bombay HC Imposes ₹5 Lakh Costs on State for Decade-Long IIT Bombay Earth Excavation Dispute

It was asserted that these shortages were chronic as well as long standing and that they continue to persist despite repeated acknowledgment by the Union government. The complainant submitted that prolonged understaffing has resulted in excessive patient load per doctor and nurse, unreasonably long waiting periods, compromised quality of care, physical and mental exhaustion of healthcare workers, adverse impact on teaching and training of medical students.

NHRC considered the contentions placed before it and forwarded the complaint for appropriate action to be taken. The Commission directed the Secretary – Health & Family Ministry, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, to take appropriate action within 8 weeks and to inform the complainant of the action taken.

National Human Rights Commission Click here