The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to proceed with the recruitment of nursing officers and para-medical staff in government hospitals without any delay, calling the appointments “absolutely crucial” for effective health management in the capital.
A bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet P.S. Arora, in its August 8 order, said the recruitment process must continue unhindered and that appointments should be made on a post-to-post basis immediately after the declaration of examination results and completion of formalities, without waiting for recruitment in other posts. The court also summoned the Secretary of the Delhi Health Department to join proceedings on August 22, either in person or virtually.
The directive came during a suo motu case initiated in 2017 over the alleged lack of critical care facilities in Delhi’s government hospitals. The case, monitored over the years, stems from a report by the Dr S.K. Sarin committee that flagged serious deficiencies, including vacant posts, shortage of critical faculty, and infrastructure gaps. The court had earlier tasked the AIIMS Director with implementing the committee’s recommendations.
Amicus curiae Advocate Ashok Agarwal has been assisting the court in the matter. In its latest status report dated July 10, the Delhi government detailed the vacancies of nursing officers and para-medical staff, noting that results for recruitment processes would be announced on various dates between April and December this year.
The court also ordered the immediate advertisement of vacancies for audiometric assistants, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, while expressing “serious concerns” over 24 semi-constructed hospital projects where no work is currently underway. The government’s May status report had noted that a review committee had submitted a detailed evaluation of these stalled projects.
