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Artemis Hospital Licensing: DGHS Under Fire

Artemis Hospital Licensing: After eight newborns tragically died in a Delhi hospital fire, which was operating without a valid DGHS license, another shocking revelation emerges: Artemis Hospital also lacked a valid license for a period.

By Prema Sridevi
New Update
Artemis Hospital | DGHS Delhi

Artemis Hospital (Left), DGHS GNCTD (Right) | Photo courtesy: Artemis Hospital (Left), Special Arrangement (Right)

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Artemis Hospital: DGHS Actions Under Scrutiny

On 25th May 2024, a devastating fire at the Baby Care New Born Hospital in Delhi resulted in the tragic deaths of eight newborns. The fire was triggered by the explosion of oxygen cylinders, a preventable disaster that unfolded due to systemic failures. Our earlier reports pointed to more than just the hospital's rule violations; they implicated the government itself for allowing these transgressions to occur unchecked.

Central to this negligence is the role of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Government of NCT of Delhi, the primary authority overseeing healthcare services in both government and private hospitals across Delhi. In the case of the eight new born babies who were burned to death, the DGHS found itself under scrutiny for permitting the Baby Care New Born Hospital to continue operations despite its expired license. Even the license, issued by the DGHS, had allowed the hospital to operate only five beds, yet the facility was running far beyond this capacity, in direct violation of regulations. The DGHS, which publicly asserts on its website its duty to oversee and monitor health services provided by private nursing homes and hospitals, now faces serious questions about how such lapses were allowed to occur under its watch.

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The Directorate General of Health Services is entrusted with the crucial role of monitoring public and private hospitals, safeguarding patient rights, ensuring quality healthcare, and maintaining public trust in the system. But what happens when the very agency responsible for these duties is seen colluding with corrupt practices in private hospitals? When the DGHS appears to turn a blind eye to serious violations, and dismisses the concerns of patients and their families, who demand accountability, it raises grave concerns.

The tragedy where newborns were burned to death in the Delhi hospital is not just an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a deeper problem. How many more such tragedies can we afford before decisive action is taken? 

This story related to a case concerning the Artemis Hospital seeks to expose this critical question: Is the DGHS siding with negligent hospitals in Delhi or standing by the vulnerable patients it is meant to protect? The issue becomes even more alarming w

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