New Delhi, 26 March 2024
Setting an example of selflessness and thinking about the larger interest of the denizens, Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday issued a second order from the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, asking Health Minister Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj to address shortage of medicines and diagnostic tests at mohalla clinics and hospitals in Delhi.
Shri Arvind Kejriwal had on March 24 issued his first government order from jail, directing Water Minister Ms Atishi to ensure redressal of water and sewerage grievances in Delhi. At a meeting of the legislators, councillors and office bearers of the Aam Aadmi Party held on Sunday, it was resolved that AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal will continue to run the government from jail.
Sharing details of the Chief Minister’s order with the media, Health Minister Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj said healthcare in Delhi has always been Shri Arvind Kejriwal’s priority. Even though he is in custody, he is worried about the health of the people of Delhi. He has received information that medicines and free diagnostic tests are not available at many mohalla clinics and hospitals. The Chief Minister is pained to know about it, added the Health Minister.
Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the Chief Minister is concerned that a poor patient should not suffer because of this. The Health Minister said while an ordinary person who is in jail worries about his family and how to get bail, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, who is in custody, is worried that the problems of Delhiites should not get compounded.
Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj said in Delhi, lakhs of people are fully dependent on free medicines in government hospitals as they cannot afford to buy them. “Some people need life-long medicines such as those suffering from diabetes and blood pressure. There are some kidney patients who need dialysis,” said the Health Minister.
Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj said the CM believes that even though he has been put in jail, people of Delhi should not face any problem in getting free tests and medicines in government hospitals and mohalla clinics.
“He has issued a direction to me. His order is God’s order to us. Shri Arvind Kejriwal is in jail, but he is fully concerned about the health facilities in Delhi,” said the Health Minister.
Recalling the thrust that Shri Arvind Kejriwal always laid on the health facilities available in Delhi hospitals and mohalla clinics, Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj said the Chief Minister would advise him to go as a commoner while inspecting any hospital and not as a Health Minister to find out the correct position.
