Latest news with #PankajSingh
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Woman, 60, dies at Delhi hospital after testing positive for Covid-19
A 60-year-old woman died after testing positive for Covid-19 while undergoing treatment for other severe health conditions at a Delhi hospital, a health official said on Sunday. It marks the Capital's first Covid-19 death amid a recent increase in cases of the viral infection. According to officials, the woman had severe co-morbidities and the Covid-19 finding was incidental. She had been diagnosed with acute intestinal obstruction post-abdominal surgery. According to government data, the city reported 56 Covid-19 cases on May 30, taking the total number of cases to 294. Earlier on Fridya, Delhi health minister Pankaj Singh had said that there was 'no Covid (pandemic)' in the city. Speaking to HT on Friday, he said, 'There is no more Covid left. It's just a viral infection that will subside on its own in a few weeks.' 'There is no need for the public to panic. As a human being it is my request that people should not panic without any reason, as there is no Covid, as of now,' he added. Delhi remains in the top three states with Covid cases. According to the central Covid-19 dashboard, which was last updated on Monday, there are 2,710 active cases across the country, at this time, of which 1,147 are in Kerala, followed by Maharashtra (426 cases), and Delhi (294). Gujarat has reported 223 active cases, and Tamil Nadu 148. Last week, the Delhi government issued an advisory instructing all hospitals in the city — both public and private — to step up preparedness as a precautionary measure in response to a recent rise in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country. As of May 19, Delhi had only five active Covid-19 cases, underscoring the minimal prevalence of the virus in the region this year. However, the advisory urged all hospitals to enhance preparedness to deal with the possibility of an upsurge of infections. It stressed on the urgent need to ensure the availability of hospital beds, oxygen supplies, essential medicines, and vaccines. It also asked hospitals to take 'immediate action,' including conducting refresher training for dedicated Covid-19 staff and ensuring all life-saving equipment such as ventilators, BiPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and PSA units are functional and ready for use.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
100 days in, health minister says Delhi's health infra received robust push
Three months into its term, the BJP government in Delhi has begun addressing longstanding gaps in the Capital's healthcare system, health minister Dr Pankaj Singh said on Friday — rolling out insurance schemes, pushing diagnostic upgrades, and cracking down on hospitals flouting fire safety norms. Speaking to HIndustan Times on Friday, Singh said over 300,000 Ayushman Bharat insurance cards have been issued so far, with 601 patients already admitted for treatment under the scheme. Further expanding on the data, Singh said more than 316,000 Ayushman Bharat health insurance cards have been issued since April — 175,060 under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for residents under 70, and 141,174 under the Vaya Vandana Yojana for senior citizens aged above 70. PM-JAY was launched in Delhi on April 5, followed by the rollout of the Vaya Vandana scheme on April 28. The latter provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh annually per family for eligible citizens above the age of 70. The government has also begun automatic card issuance for all beneficiaries in this category. So far, Singh said, 601 patients have received treatment under PM-JAY. Crackdown on fire safety violations in hospitals Following a Hindustan Times report highlighting lapses in fire safety clearances at three major government hospitals — Lok Nayak, Ambedkar Nagar and Bhagwan Mahavir — Singh acknowledged the issue and attributed the gaps to administrative neglect by previous governments. 'Lok Nayak is now close to receiving its no objection certificate from the fire department after implementing the necessary changes. Ambedkar Nagar is also being brought up to code,' he said. He added that 10 private hospitals have been denied NOCs due to non-compliance and given 45 days to rectify violations. 'Failure to comply will result in cancellation of their licenses,' he said. New tenders to ease medicine shortage On reports of shortages of essential drugs in government hospitals, Singh said inefficiency by previous vendors led to supply disruptions. 'We've cancelled their contracts and initiated a new tendering process. Going forward, half the medicines will be procured centrally, and the rest sourced locally to streamline delivery.' Diagnostic upgrades across 36 hospitals To reduce dependency on private centres for costly diagnostics, the government plans to install MRI and CT scan machines across all 36 government hospitals under a public-private partnership model. Singh said the services will be capped at ₹2,500 per scan, with rollout details being finalised. Inquiry into Delhi Medical Council On the proposed dissolution of the Delhi Medical Council amid allegations of irregularities, Singh said the matter is under review. 'A report has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor. Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr Rati Makkar will oversee council operations.' Addressing concerns over rising respiratory infections, Singh said there was no COVID outbreak in the city. 'It's a seasonal viral wave. The infections are mild and self-limiting — there is no cause for panic.' .'
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
All big hospitals in city to come under Ayushman scheme, says Delhi Govt
All the 'big hospitals' of Delhi will now be brought under the Ayushman Bharat insurance umbrella in the next '20-25 days', Health Minister Pankaj Singh told The Indian Express as the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government in the Capital completed 100 days in power Friday. Singh's remarks are significant because major private hospital groups in Delhi, such as Max, Fortis and Apollo, have not yet come on board the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) — the scheme's dashboard currently includes 82 other private hospitals, apart from 11 government facilities. According to Singh, private hospitals in Delhi were hesitant to sign up because the previous AAP government did not clear pending payments under other schemes. 'They did not make the payment on time from Delhi Arogya Nidhi (the financial assistance scheme run by the Directorate General of Health Services). Now I ensure that in the next 20-25 days, all the big hospitals will be empanelled under Ayushman Bharat. I will talk to them soon,' the Health Minister said. Under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, patients from poor households get health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh for patients above the age of 70. While Centre offers a cover of Rs 5 lakh, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had said after her Cabinet's first meeting that the Delhi government would provide an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh to beneficiaries. Records show that more than 3.16 lakh beneficiaries have been registered so far from poor households, and 30,000 above the age of 70. Beneficiaries for the scheme are selected on the basis of National Food Security Act (NFSA) data, and Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011. So far, 601 beneficiaries have availed services under the scheme, Singh said. Healthcare representatives in Delhi, however, have called for a 'reality check' before the scheme is expanded. Currently, of 62 private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat for which details are publicly available, nine are eyecare facilities while others offer services related to general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and cardiology. Representing the Association of Healthcare Providers India (APHI), Dr Vipender Sabherwal, convenor for Ayushman Bharat, said, 'We have been in touch with the Union Health Ministry and government officials on pricing and rates, which do not match the requirements of good hospitals with all facilities. The amount being offered is meagre and not practical. Even our payments were not made on time under Ayushman Bharat.' Sabherwal said doctors' associations would get in touch with the Delhi government for further discussions. AHPI represents about 15,000 private hospitals, including Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal, Medanta, Narayana and Apollo. Meanwhile, the Delhi government is expected to launch 33 Jan Arogya Mandirs in place of AAP's mohalla clinics and government dispensaries on Saturday under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission scheme (PM-ABHIM). Health Minister Singh had earlier said the government would open 200 such centres. Each Arogya Mandir is expected to provide 12 service packages, including maternal and child healthcare, vaccinations, mental health services, elderly care, and treatment for communicable diseases. Each facility is mandated to maintain an essential drug list of 256 medicines, with in-house tests for blood sugar, haemoglobin, blood group, urine and pregnancy, among others — 90 other tests will be outsourced to Agilus Lab.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘All big hospitals will be empanelled under Ayushman Bharat in 20-25 days': Delhi Health Minister
As the BJP government in Delhi completes 100 days, Health Minister Pankaj Singh highlights the government's feats in implementing the Centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme. Even as private hospitals have registered concerns over delayed payments, Singh underlined that efforts are being made to onboard big players. He also rejected the Opposition's criticism over the rebranding of the AAP's flagship mohalla clinics as Arogya Mandirs. 'We had promised the people of Delhi change. Now it's the people of Delhi who will tell us if change has come or not. You will see Ayushman Mandir in every such place where it is required. The scams in medicine procurement have been put to an end,' he said. In the 100 days, he said the government set up 'a brain health clinic, de-addiction centres to help the people of Delhi.' 'We are also working on how we can cure diabetes with you. For this, we are also starting a centre which will work in collaboration with diabetologists and yoga experts,' he underlined. In an interview with The Indian Express, he also talks about other issues prevailing in the Capital. Excerpts: Q. A lot of big hospitals are still not on board for implementing the Centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat Yojana due to rates and delayed payments. What is the government doing about it? The private hospitals are hesitant because of the experience that the previous (Aam Aadmi Party) government gave to them in terms of Delhi Arogya Nidhi, and they have told us about it. They did not get the payment on time from Delhi Arogya Nidhi (a financial assistance scheme run by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Delhi). Now I ensure that in the next 20-25 days, all the big hospitals will be empanelled under Ayushman Bharat. I will talk to them soon. A total of 601 patients have availed services under Ayushman Bharat as of May 30. The patients who have gone and availed of services are happy. Q. How is Arogya Mandir different from AAP's Mohalla clinics? Opposition has been claiming that there's no difference. You can come and see the Arogya Mandir at Tis Hazari. We are launching it on Saturday from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Later, all the MLAs will launch these healthcare centres in their respective districts from June 4. A total of 39 Arogya Mandirs are ready for inauguration. Q. What about the jobs of staff at Mohalla clinics? We have staff in the Arogya Mandirs, which are ready for the launch, but we are planning to absorb the existing staff of Mohalla clinics. I have discussed this with CM Rekha Gupta. They will have to reappear in an exam, and those who fulfil the criteria will get the jobs. Q. What about the medicine shortage that has been plaguing the Delhi hospitals? We have suffered for some time. We have floated a new tender and got new vendors. We have removed all the blacklisted companies from providing medicines to hospitals. The process of tender takes time. In the meantime, we have procured medicines locally. A majority of the medicines are now available. Q. Last year, there was a massive fire at a hospital where six newborns lost their lives. What are you doing to ensure private hospitals function under the rules? We are ensuring that private hospitals follow the guidelines. We have cancelled the license of 10 private hospitals. We have also issued them the notice. Q. What is being done in corruption charges against the Delhi Medical Council? The Delhi Medical Council will be dissolved soon, as there are a lot of irregularities in it. L-G VK Saxena has the file on it, and soon an inquiry will be conducted on the irregularities in the Delhi Medical Council.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
DTC to allow advertisement space at 16 bus terminals
In a push to increase its 'non-fare revenue', the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will auction advertisement rights at 16 major bus terminals across the Capital. With high footfall and prominent road visibility, these sites will be monetised through wall wraps and digital screens. According to a tender floated by DTC, the advertising rights will be granted for a five-year term, with the option for annual extensions of up to five more years. Bidders can apply for wall wrap advertisements, digital screens, or both, and the highest bidder will be awarded the contract for each terminal. 'Apart from revenue generation, this creates avenues for public messaging, civic campaigns, and brand visibility at some of the city's busiest locations,' said Delhi transport minister Pankaj Singh. 'We are trying to recover DTC from years of losses and turn it into a profit-making venture that can serve commuters better.' Singh added that DTC is exploring several avenues to recover past losses and boost its non-fare revenue. The monthly reserve license fee for digital screens ranges from ₹1.22 lakh to ₹2.24 lakh, while fees for wall wraps start at ₹28,834 at Ambedkar Stadium Terminal and go up to ₹3.9 lakh at Nehru Place Terminal. Screen sizes will range from 3 to 18 square metres and must receive structural certification before installation. Bidders will be required to comply with the Outdoor Advertisement Policy (OAP) 2017 and share 50% of the revenue with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). This initiative is part of a broader strategy by DTC to diversify revenue sources, as reported by HT on April 10. Earlier this year, the corporation announced plans to generate ₹18 crore through advertisements on buses and bus shelters. Other proposals include monetising unipoles (single-pole advertising boards), bus body wraps, wall wraps, and digital screens. DTC is also considering leasing commercial space at depots, while the transport department plans to redevelop the Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) at Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar. A senior DTC official said the current focus is on fixed infrastructure, such as terminal boundary walls and enclosed spaces, which remain underutilised. Among the terminals listed in the tender are some of Delhi's busiest, including Nehru Place, Hauz Khas, Punjabi Bagh, Shahdara, and Uttam Nagar. Others include Mehrauli, Mangla Puri, Sultanpuri, Rohini Sector 22, Mangolpuri, Jal Vihar, Bindapur, Karawal Nagar, Ambedkar Stadium, Narela A-9, and Narela Dhiran Jhor. The last date for bid submission is June 20. A pre-bid meeting will be held on June 9, with clarifications due by June 12. The initiative comes against the backdrop of a damning performance audit of DTC by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in the Delhi Assembly in March. The audit assessed DTC's performance from 2015-16 to 2021-22 and flagged cumulative losses of ₹60,741 crore by 2021-22, despite annual revenue grants from the Delhi government. The audit noted that DTC lacked a long-term business or perspective plan and had performed worse than other state transport undertakings and the national average. It also found that DTC had done little to augment non-fare revenue in recent years. 'No major initiatives were taken towards raising non-operational revenue,' the report had said, citing the non-recovery of ₹225.31 crore in rent for depots transferred to cluster buses, delays in awarding advertisement contracts, and failure to commercially utilise available depot space.
