New Delhi | Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh’s recent surprise visit to Jafarpur Kalan Hospital in Najafgarh has stirred a major controversy, after he reportedly lashed out at hospital staff for a non-functional pulse oximeter—a basic yet essential device used to monitor oxygen levels.
Eyewitnesses claimed the Minister lost his temper during the visit, allegedly reprimanding the casualty in-charge and other attending doctors. “Is this a joke?” he was heard asking angrily, blaming the staff for a patient’s deteriorating condition due to the faulty equipment.
However, the incident has sparked a broader conversation among healthcare professionals and the public about systemic issues in government hospitals. Many doctors have taken to social media, particularly the platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), to defend the staff and highlight the lack of government accountability.
One doctor questioned the logic of blaming medical personnel for broken devices, stating, “Before scolding doctors in public, these politicians should fix the broken instruments in government hospitals. Why are doctors blamed for faulty instruments?”
The post quickly gained traction, with numerous doctors and citizens echoing the sentiment. Another user remarked, “Instead of asking doctors ‘yeh mazaak chal raha hai?’, the Minister should explain why quality equipment isn’t available in government hospitals and where taxpayer money is going. Let’s ask them back—‘yeh mazaak chal raha hai?’”
Criticism extended beyond the minister to procurement policies, with one doctor accusing authorities of buying substandard, low-cost (L1) medical equipment. “They buy the cheapest instruments, which don’t last. If we request better ones, it leads to endless bureaucratic hurdles,” the doctor wrote.
Others, however, pointed to gaps in internal reporting, questioning why faulty equipment wasn’t flagged earlier. “How is the government supposed to know about broken devices if the users don’t report them?” one user asked. Another said, “If doctors don’t raise concerns about equipment, then they should be held responsible.”
Some healthcare professionals suggested a constructive approach. “All doctors in government hospitals should formally report faulty or inadequate equipment to the Medical Superintendent, Health Secretary, Minister, and Chief Minister,” a doctor advised. “This creates documented evidence and shifts accountability where it belongs.”
While opinions remain divided, the incident has reignited debate on the strained condition of public healthcare infrastructure, underfunded equipment procurement, and the importance of ensuring that responsibility is shared between hospital administrators and government authorities.
