Delhi: New hospitals, health cards, and emergency Covid fund are set to receive lion’s share of this year’s health budget

According to people familiar with the situation, the majority of Delhi’s healthcare budget this year would be committed to three projects: infrastructure growth, emergency money for Covid administration, and equipping citizens with cloud-based health cards. The budget will also continue work on the 100 mahila mohalla clinics initiative, which was launched last year but was halted because to the epidemic.

The healthcare sector received a budget allocation of Rs 9,934 crore last year, accounting for 14% of the entire spend.

In terms of infrastructure development, the government would concentrate on the continuing building of four hospitals: a 2,716-bed hospital in Siraspur and three 671-bed hospitals in Madipur, Hastsal, and Jwalapuri. According to budget ideas in the works, nine current hospitals would be remodelled to expand the number of beds.
Construction of semi-permanent structures at Sarita Vihar, Shalimar Bagh, Sultanpuri, Kirari, Raghubir Nagar, GTB Hospital Campus, and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya is a recent addition. These are simple to construct and will survive for around 30 years. The cabinet approved the construction of the seven structures in the second half of 2021, however it was never included in the budget. These will add 6,800 beds and will take six months to complete.

“A lot of money was spent on maintaining temporary facilities for the treatment of Covid patients in areas like the Ramlila ground.” According to a government official, “the semi-permanent constructions will enhance the number of beds and last for years.”

In the event of another spike, the government will put aside an emergency Covid fund, which can be used to purchase consumables or pay for more healthcare professionals. With all eligible adults over the age of 15 having already gotten their first dosage and over 88 percent having received their second dose, funding for the Covid vaccination effort is set to be cut.

Officials said that QR code-based health cards, which will be used to store residents’ medical information, are also in the works and will be allocated again.