The Delhi High Court on Monday noted that "all is not well" within the city's health department, citing ongoing "bitter" conflicts between authorities.

The court has now assigned the AIIMS director the responsibility of implementing the recommendations made by a 6-member expert committee, led by Dr. S.K. Sarin, to enhance services at hospitals operated by the Delhi government.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, after receiving a letter from Dr. S.K. Sarin requesting that the committee be excused from monitoring the implementation of the proposed reforms, observed that four member doctors working in Delhi government hospitals were "feeling threatened" and "scared."

The court expressed concern over the "complete lack of consensus between the bureaucrats and the minister," noting that the quality of healthcare services in Delhi remained "dismal," with the common man being the ultimate victim of the apathy and indifference shown by those responsible.

The bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, said "The letter speaks volume. The court is of the view if four of the senior GNCTD doctors, after preparing an extensive pro bono (free of cost) report , recuse themselves from carrying out the mandate of monitoring & verification of implementation of its recommendations, it shows that all is not well in the health department of GNCTD".

In a letter dated August 26, Dr. S.K. Sarin noted that the committee members faced "challenges" in implementing the recommendations, as four out of six members were employed at hospitals run by the Delhi government and were subordinate to it. The court, observing that the "environment is rather toxic," remarked that open allegations were being exchanged between the health minister and bureaucrats. Additionally, the court took judicial notice of the fact that a "party worker" has been named as an accused in the alleged rape-murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.

"Just see four out of six senior-most doctors are feeling threatened.. There are open allegations from both the sides. See how bitterly they are fighting. These are senior doctors & they are scared.. The court is of the opinion that the GNCTD health department instead of declaring war on diseases & misinformation, is at war with itself," it said.

The Court also directed the authorities to ensure that the services of the four member doctors are renewed for two years and that they are not subjected to harassment. In response, the Delhi government's senior counsel suggested that the doctors might be experiencing a "dilemma" rather than actual threats. He also expressed concerns about involving the AIIMS director in the matter, noting that the institution is under the central government's jurisdiction.

"The suggestion is fair & reasonable," Justice Manmohan said, while adding that the Delhi government will also issue necessary orders for appointing 20 doctors awaiting approval for over a year.

The court authorized the AIIMS director to take all necessary steps to implement the committee's recommendations, including forming teams, raising funds, and procuring equipment. The director was also asked to file a report on the progress. Additionally, the court directed the chief secretary, finance secretary, and principal secretary (home) to ensure the AIIMS director's decisions are carried out, including the recruitment of medical staff on contract.

The court had established the Sarin committee in response to a PIL it initiated in 2017 regarding the alleged lack of ICU beds and ventilators in government hospitals. The committee has highlighted several deficiencies in the medical system, such as vacant posts, shortages of critical faculty, infrastructure gaps, and a lack of medical or surgical consumables, emergency operation theatres, and trauma services. 

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 30.