Last month, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, advocated for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the purported acquisition and distribution of "non-standard" quality pharmaceuticals to government hospitals and mohalla clinics in the city. Subsequently, on January 5, the Union Home Ministry issued an order for the initiation of an inquiry by the central agency into the matter.
The flagship healthcare initiative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government, the mohalla clinics, has now become the focus of attention for the central administration, as the Union Home Ministry has directed a CBI investigation into the issue of "sub-standard" medications in Delhi government hospitals and these clinics. Notably, this directive from the Centre came a day after Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, called for a central agency inquiry, specifically addressing alleged instances of fake lab tests and the presence of fictitious patients at the Mohalla clinics.
The impending CBI probe is poised to result in the filing of a case related to the matter as mentioned earlier. In December of the preceding year, VK Saxena had recommended a CBI investigation into the alleged procurement and supply of pharmaceuticals below standard to Delhi government hospitals and mohalla clinics. The implicated medications, deemed substandard, were reportedly procured through the Central Procurement Agency, an entity under the jurisdiction of the health department led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's AAP government, and subsequently disseminated to various medical facilities across the national capital.
The genesis of the alleged Mohalla clinic scandal was brought to light following numerous complaints from patients and their families. Samples were collected from three prominent hospitals—IHBAS, Lok Nayak, and Deen Dayal Upadhyay—revealing that some of the medications in question were crucial antibiotics and steroids used for treating lung and urinary tract infections, inflammation, and swelling, as well as anti-anxiety, anti-epilepsy, and anti-hypertension drugs.
Considering the potential peril posed to public health and safety by procuring these drugs using substantial budgetary funds, VK Saxena, in his directive to the Chief Secretary, underscored the need for a thorough investigation. He also pointed out that companies, suppliers, and drug controllers from other states might be implicated in the distribution of these substandard medications.
The scope of the CBI probe is anticipated to complicate matters for the Delhi Government, as it involves multiple entities from different states, including the Central Procurement Agency (CPA-DHS), GNCTD, suppliers, manufacturers, and state agencies.
The revelation of medicines of substandard quality triggered an investigation by the Drug Controller within the Delhi Health Department, prompted by complaints of inferior quality drugs being supplied to government hospitals. Analysis of samples in government-approved and private laboratories unveiled that over 10 percent of the tested samples did not meet the necessary quality standards. Of the 86 samples sent, 8 failed quality control tests, with pending results for some. Amlodipine, Levetiracetam, and Cephalexin were among the failed drugs found to be below the required quality threshold.
The Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) recommended expanding the scope of testing and halting the distribution of the failed drugs due to the high failure rate. The department also suggested investigating the role of suppliers beyond the Central Procurement Agency and advocated for blacklisting companies and dealers engaged in this serious malpractice.
In addition to concerns about substandard medicines, the Health Department uncovered unethical practices at mohalla clinics, where some doctors and staff allegedly fraudulently marked their attendance through pre-recorded videos. Patients at these clinics received medical consultations and medicines from unauthorized staff in the absence of qualified doctors.
Further investigation into sample lab testing data for three months (July to September 2023) indicated the use of fake mobile numbers for patient registration and subsequent lab tests. Instances of mobile number duplication were observed, with over 3,000 records of different patients associated with the same mobile number, and 999 patients having their mobile numbers repeated 15 or more times. Moreover, 11,657 patients had the mobile number zero registered against their names, while more than 8,000 patients had blank entries in the mobile number column of their registration database.
Payments resulting from these fraudulent practices were found to be directed to private labs, suggesting a potentially massive scam running into hundreds of crores. VK Saxena issued directives in December 2022 regarding the extension of lab testing services to private parties for patients visiting Mohalla clinics and Delhi government hospitals.
In September 2023, the AAP-led government de-empaneled 26 staffers, including seven doctors, from mohalla clinics, alleging attempts to manipulate the attendance system. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj announced the de-empanelment at a press conference and emphasized the need for action against the health secretary.
Responding to the CBI inquiry, Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to shield the health secretary of the national capital. While welcoming the CBI inquiry, Bharadwaj asserted that the focus should also be on holding the health secretary accountable, alleging an effort to protect the said official. He pointed out that he had previously ordered a medication audit upon assuming the role of Health Minister and had urged the removal of Health Secretary Deepak Kumar.
