Delhi Government Hospital Infrastructure Crisis Exposed in Assembly Session
New Delhi: Critical infrastructure deficiencies at Delhi government-run Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital in South Delhi have led to the forced referral of hundreds of patients to major healthcare facilities, the Legislative Assembly was informed during the recent winter session. The hospital, designated as the South district hospital and the only Delhi government facility in south Delhi according to official portals, suffers from severe shortages including beds, ICU facilities, and essential diagnostic services.
Assembly Reveals Stark Infrastructure Gaps
Following a question raised by a Member of Legislative Assembly regarding plans to increase hospital beds from 100 to 250 to accommodate growing patient numbers, the health department provided a straightforward negative response. The department acknowledged that while 4,591 Ayushman Bharat cards were issued in the area and the outpatient department treated approximately 3.3 lakh patients between April and December 2025, the facility lacks critical diagnostic capabilities.
"No facility for CT scan or MRI," the official written reply explicitly stated, highlighting one of the hospital's most significant limitations.
Patient Referral Numbers Paint Concerning Picture
The health department's written admission revealed alarming statistics: 890 patients from Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital were referred to Safdarjung Hospital or other regional facilities between April 2025 and November 2025. This mass referral occurred specifically due to the unavailability of crucial facilities and ICU beds at the government hospital.
Medical professionals at tertiary care centers confirmed receiving numerous referrals from Delhi government district hospitals, with Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital frequently appearing among the top sources. Doctors noted that referrals often arrive with simple notations like "ICU beds not available" written on transfer documents.
Broader Healthcare System Strain
The infrastructure crisis at Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital represents a microcosm of broader systemic challenges affecting Delhi's public healthcare network. Medical staff at multiple Delhi government hospitals, including Guru Teg Bahadur and smaller centers like DDU, Malviya, and Ambedkar facilities, reported regularly referring patients to tertiary care centers due to similar shortages of drugs, ICU facilities, or available beds.
This cascading effect creates significant overcrowding at major hospitals like Safdarjung, overwhelming emergency wards and stretching specialist resources dangerously thin. A senior doctor at Safdarjung Hospital estimated that nearly 60% of patients visiting tertiary care centers could potentially receive treatment at primary healthcare levels if adequate infrastructure existed at district hospitals.
The referral overload has created additional complications, including:
- Patients becoming stranded at referral hospitals with nowhere to return
- Doubling and tripling of patients in already crowded wards
- Absence of one-patient-one-bed policies in overwhelmed facilities
- Increased strain on emergency services and specialist departments
No Expansion Plans Despite Growing Needs
In a related development during the assembly session, the health department informed legislators that no proposal exists to construct a new hospital in Sangam Vihar, despite the area's population of approximately 10 lakh residents. Government officials stated that primary health centers remain available in the region, with emergency cases directed to Ambedkar Nagar Hospital in Dakshinpuri, located approximately 2-3 kilometers from Sangam Vihar.
This infrastructure crisis at Delhi government hospitals follows previous reports highlighting how deficiencies at multiple public healthcare facilities have increased burdens on tertiary care centers including Lok Nayak Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The situation raises serious questions about healthcare accessibility and infrastructure planning in India's capital city.
