Rohit Shishodia
Patients in Delhi will now be able to avail all healthcare services, including OPD and surgeries, in Delhi government-run hospitals. The decision by the Delhi government to restart these services has been taken after a continued dip in cases and deaths due to coronavirus in the city. However, the government order does not mention exactly when these services will be resumed.

“It is directed that all kinds of surgeries/invasive procedures/IPD/OPDs and other medical services shall be started in all hospitals under GNCT of Delhi, including the society hospitals. This is issued with prior approval of the Minister of Health,” reads an order issued by SM Ali, Special Secretary-Health, to senior officials of Delhi government.

It may be noted that all healthcare services had come to a grinding halt in Delhi after coronavirus spread in Delhi. The government had to shut most of the hospitals to curb the spread of corona.

Many of the Delhi government-run hospitals, including LNJP, GTB and Rajiv Gandhi, were converted into dedicated Covid hospitals due to which many people who used to depend on them for free OPD care and operations were left untreated.

Resuming these services will now provide much needed relief to all. It is understood that a major chunk of Delhi's population, and even people from other states, depend for free care and medicines on aforementioned hospitals.