Delhi Minister urges immediate suspension of Health Secretary

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has called for the immediate suspension of Delhi’s health secretary, SB Deepak Kumar, by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Central Government. The recommendation is based on alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines supplied to Delhi government hospitals, aiming to ensure a fair inquiry into the case.

The minister has also urged strict action against the then Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Nutan Mundeja, in connection with the matter. Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that after assuming ministerial responsibilities on March 9, he convened a meeting with the Health Secretary, DGHS, and other health department officials on March 21.

During the meeting, he issued a clear directive to the Health Secretary to conduct an audit of all medicines, equipment, and consumables purchased for Delhi government hospitals. The orders and decisions made during this meeting, along with the meeting minutes, were published on April 3.

However, he alleged that Health Secretary SB Deepak Kumar did not take any action on this directive and failed to initiate any audit related to the procurement of medicines. In July, after noting the directions from this meeting, he sent a reminder to the Health Secretary, questioning the lack of implementation of orders and the absence of an audit of medicines and other items purchased for Delhi government hospitals. Despite the reminder, the Health Secretary allegedly took no action.

Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that he has issued orders multiple times to the Health Secretary to conduct an audit regarding the procurement of medicines.