Court Orders Mandatory Uniform Implementation of HMIS and Audit of Underutilized Medical Equipment in Public Hospitals

The Delhi High Court took suo motu cognizance of deficiencies in the public healthcare infrastructure in Delhi.

The Amicus Curiae highlighted the case of Mrs. Kamar Jahan, a 70-year-old patient who was denied an ICU bed at LNJP Hospital despite the hospital's website showing availability.

Evidence showed that emergency phone lines were non-responsive.

The court noted a lack of uniformity in the implementation of the NextGen e-Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) across 38 Delhi government hospitals.

At the Delhi State Cancer Institute, a PET Cyclotron purchased for ₹15.42 crore in 2017 has remained non-functional due to lack of manpower and expired licenses.

1. Whether the lack of uniformity and real-time updates in the HMIS and "ICU Beds Saarthi" application constitutes a failure in the state’s duty to provide accessible healthcare.

2. Whether the non-operation of high-cost medical equipment (PET Cyclotron) due to administrative lapses amounts to a gross waste of public resources.

3. What directions are necessary to ensure accountability in patient referrals and medical infrastructure management.

The Court applied the constitutional mandate of the Right to Health under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, emphasizing the state's obligation to maintain functional medical infrastructure and provide timely emergency care.

It relied on principles of administrative accountability and the doctrine of public trust regarding the efficient use of public resources (e.g., the procurement and operation of life-saving medical equipment).

The Court observed a significant disparity between the digital data (reflecting bed availability) and the ground reality where patients are turned away.

The Court reasoned that the HMIS platform’s failure to transmit patient details effectively to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) prevents seamless inter-hospital transfers.

The Court found the non-responsiveness of emergency helplines and the failure of hospitals to answer calls as a breakdown of the emergency support system.

Regarding the PET Cyclotron, the Court characterized the 9-year delay in making a ₹15.42 crore machine functional as a "gross waste of public resources," noting that equipment was procured without ensuring the necessary trained manpower or regulatory compliance.

The Court ordered the GNCTD to propose a 24/7 toll-free helpline for emergency bed inquiries and to establish a nodal officer system for patient transfers.

For the patient Mrs. Kamar Jahan, the Court ordered immediate ICU admission and treatment at LNJP Hospital.

The Court mandated all GNCTD hospitals to file an audit report in tabular form detailing all unused/non-functional equipment and the reasons for the same; matter listed for further consideration on August 7, 2026.