Delhi's Tuberculosis Crisis: 40% Population Infected, Healthcare System Under Scrutiny
The Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26 has unveiled a stark public health reality, indicating that nearly 40% of the capital's population is infected with tuberculosis (TB) germs. This makes them highly vulnerable to developing the active disease if their immune systems weaken, underscoring TB as a persistent and severe challenge in the region.
TB: A Vicious Cycle of Poverty and Disease
The survey explicitly states, "Tuberculosis is the most pressing health problem in our country as it traps people in a vicious cycle of poverty and disease, inhibiting economic and social growth of the community at large." It emphasizes that TB remains a major public health issue in Delhi, with scanning centers and initiatives like the TB Mukt Bharat campaign playing crucial roles in mitigation efforts.
Beyond TB, the report highlights ongoing health risks and efforts to bolster Delhi's healthcare infrastructure. A key focus is the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), which currently operates 330 ambulances. Plans are underway to expand this fleet to 1,000 vehicles. In 2025 alone, up to November, CATS responded to over 500,000 emergency calls and successfully transported more than 425,000 patients.
Healthcare Capacity: Gradual Improvements Amid Challenges
Delhi's healthcare capacity has shown gradual enhancement over the years. The number of hospital beds per 1,000 people has increased from 2.73 in 2015-16 to 2.84 in 2025-26, accounting for both public and private facilities. Currently, 11 new hospitals are under construction, and 13 existing ones are being remodeled. These projects are expected to add approximately 5,452 beds upon completion.
Government hospital capacity has specifically grown, with beds under the health and family welfare department rising from 12,464 in 2020 to 15,659 by December 2025. However, private hospitals continue to dominate the healthcare landscape, accounting for 53.4% of total beds. Government facilities under the Delhi administration contribute 24.5%, those operated by the Centre make up 15.9%, and local bodies like the Municipal Corporation of Delhi account for about 6%.
Declining Public Health Spending and Disease Trends
Despite these infrastructure upgrades, public health spending has seen a slight decline. Expenditure on health as a share of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) fell to 0.68% in 2023-24 from 0.83% in the previous year, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
The survey reports relatively controlled trends for communicable diseases. As of December 6, 2025, Delhi recorded 168 chikungunya cases with no deaths, 1,399 dengue cases with two fatalities, and 719 malaria cases without any deaths. In terms of HIV/AIDS, the capital has an estimated adult prevalence rate of 0.3%, with over 59,000 people living with HIV. Approximately 2,590 new infections and 927 related deaths were reported in 2024-25. Between April and October 2025, more than 820,000 individuals were screened, leading to the detection of 3,274 cases.
Strengthening Human Resources and Drug Quality
To address these challenges, the Delhi government has strengthened human resources in healthcare by recruiting 926 nursing officers, 141 paramedical staff, and 127 specialists, while creating 4,478 new healthcare posts. Additionally, strict measures are being enforced against substandard drugs, with 15 out of 397 tested samples failing quality standards, ensuring better patient safety and treatment efficacy.
This comprehensive report underscores the critical need for continued investment and strategic interventions to combat TB and other health issues, while balancing infrastructure development with adequate funding to safeguard public health in Delhi.
