Delhi High Court | GNCTD Must Ensure Citizens Know Real-Time Availability of Beds and Doctors in Emergencies Through HMIS | Recruitment and Hospital Projects to Be Expedited
Isabella Mariam
The High Court of Delhi Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to provide real-time information to citizens regarding the availability of hospital beds and medical staff in emergencies through the Health Management Information System (HMIS) software. The Court also ordered the Union Public Service Commission, Delhi Services Subordinate Selection Board, and other agencies to expedite recruitment processes, finalise hospital projects, and file detailed status reports before the next date of hearing.
The matter originated as suo motu proceedings in 2017, following incidents of violence against doctors. Over the years, the scope expanded to address systemic shortcomings in public healthcare, particularly emergency care and infrastructure.
On 25 April 2025, the Court directed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to file comprehensive reports on semi-constructed hospitals, staffing issues, and compliance with recommendations made by the Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee. Reports dated 26 May 2025 and 10 July 2025 were examined on 8 August 2025, where concerns were noted over 24 incomplete hospital projects. The Court directed updated reports and the presence of the Health Secretary at subsequent hearings.
A fresh status report dated 21 August 2025 was then filed by GNCTD. It confirmed that the NextGen eHospital system developed by the National Informatics Centre was implemented in Delhi hospitals from 27 June 2025. OPD and IPD modules were functional, with ICU and other modules pending. Staff training was underway, with hardware support being gradually deployed.
On recruitment, the report stated that out of 232 dossiers provided by UPSC for General Duty Medical Officers, 129 officers had joined. Recruitment for non-teaching specialists was progressing, with advertisements issued for radiologists on 24 May 2025. For nursing staff, 1,394 e-dossiers had been processed, and appointments issued. DSSSB was conducting recruitment for 996 paramedical posts, with examinations concluded for a majority.
GNCTD also reported that 26 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were operational in hospitals, and procurement of radiological diagnostic services through a Public-Private Partnership was underway. Five hospitals were ready for inauguration, and transaction advisors for 11 greenfield projects were in the process of being appointed.
Recruitment advertisements for posts such as Audiometric Assistant, Assistant Security Officer, Occupational Therapist, and Physiotherapist had been withdrawn due to deputation requirements, outsourcing policies, and amendments to recruitment rules. Hospitals were authorised to fill these posts on an outsourced basis until regular recruitment.
On palliative care, GNCTD reported existing facilities at Delhi State Cancer Institute and IHBAS, with three new centres to be established by 2026 at Deen Dayal Upadhaya Hospital, Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, and Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital.
The Court recorded: “One of the fundamental reasons as to why the Court started suo moto action in this case was due to lack of ICU beds and immediate information to the citizens for the purpose of availing such ICU beds, OPD services and IPD services.”
“The State Government may, therefore, consider as to the manner in which through HMIS, software either through a web based application or through a handheld device based application, this information shall be made available to the citizens of Delhi who, in case of emergency and otherwise, whenever they need medical care, can know as to the availability of beds, doctors and expertise so that they can approach the relevant hospital for obtaining the requisite medical care.”
The Bench observed: “In the opinion of this Court, this is very critical in the case of ICU patients where patients are made to move from hospital to hospital, looking for an ICU bed.”
The Court also recorded assurances by the administration: “The Health Secretary, GNCTD has assured the Court that with the HMIS software implemented, this issue shall be flagged and some solution shall be placed on record in this regard.”
It stated: “The reports provided by Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee, including the interim report and the final report shall be considered before suggesting any solutions.”
It further noted: “The Health Secretary, GNCTD has also informed the Court that various recommendations made in Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee report has in fact, been considered at the time of development of HMIS software.”
The Court directed: “Let a status report be filed giving the following details: (i) Total number of modules to be implemented in the HMIS software; (ii) The actual implemented modules and their status in all the hospitals; (iii) The remaining modules to be implemented with a specific timeline.”
“The report shall specifically answer the question as to whether, whenever a patient in Delhi calls the concerned helpline number and the type of medical emergency is noted down, whether the HMIS software will enable the patient to be taken to the hospital where the bed and necessary expert staff is available.”
“Accordingly, let the UPSC continue the process for recruitment of radiologists and submit the necessary dossiers to the GNCTD before the next date of hearing.”
“Let the appointment of the transaction advisor and their mandate in terms of the request for proposal, as also the timeline for the transaction advisor be placed on record.”
“Let a detailed status report qua each of the hospital, both, in terms of operationalisation and staff which has been posted, be placed on record before the next date of hearing.”
“With respect to the four hospital projects which are to be completed within 2025-26, let the timelines and the status regarding the date of various stages of completion and the final timelines be also placed before this Court by the next date of hearing.”
“Meanwhile, hospitals have been authorized to fill these posts on an outsourced basis till regular recruitment.” It added: “The actual status as to whether the hospitals have availed of these services, either on outsourcing basis or contractual basis shall be placed on record along with the next status report.”
“Further 03 more palliative care centres are planned for operation by 2026 at Deen Dayal Upadhaya Hospital (DDUH) - 640 bedded, Maharishi Valmiki Hospital (MVH) - 150 bedded and Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital (PMMMH) - 100 bedded.”
“The Director, AIIMS shall convene a meeting of all the relevant officials and then present a status report by the next date of hearing.” It added: “Mr. Ashok Agarwal is permitted to attend the meeting with the Director, AIIMS.”
The matter was listed for further hearing on 31st October 2025.
Advocates Representing the Parties
For the Petitioners: Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Advocate; Ms. Ashna Khan, Advocate, Amicus Curiae
For the Respondents: Ms. Avnish Ahlawat, Standing Counsel, GNCTD with Mr. N. K. Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam, Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Mr. Amol Rana, Advocates; Mr. Nikhil Kumar, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, GNCTD; Mr. Tushar Sannu, Ms. Shaoni Das, Mr. Sagar Saxena, Mr. Parneet Singh, Mr. Sarthak Pandey, Advocates; Ms. Arunima Dwivedi, CGSC with Mr. Saiynam Bhardwaj, Ms. Monalisa Pradhan, Ms. Himanshi Singh, Advocates; Mr. Ravinder Agarwal, Mr. Manish Kumar Singh, Mr. Vasu Agarwal, Advocates for UPSC; Mr. Amit Tiwari, CGSC with Ms. Ayushi Srivastava, Mr. Ayush Tanwar, Advocates; Mr. V. Shashank Kumar, Advocate for Mr. V.S.R. Krishna, Advocate for AIIMS.
Case Title: Court on Its Own Motion v. Union of India & Ors.
Neutral Citation: 2025: DHC:7380-DB
Case Number: W.P.(C) 3903/2017 & connected matters
Bench: Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
