New Delhi, September 30: In what could trigger a political row, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the national capital cannot provide healthcare services to the entire country. Calling for better healthcare services across India, Arvind Kejriwal said that residents of Delhi have to stand in long queues in hospitals because many patients from other states come here for treatment. Kejriwal, however, added that it was good to see people from other states availing healthcare services provided by the Delhi government. Arvind Kejriwal Shares Pictures of Clear And Blue Skies in Delhi, Appeals to Citizens to Keep Air Clean.

Expressing concerns over the pressure on hospitals in Delhi, Kejriwal said: "One person from Bihar buys a ticket to Delhi for Rs 500, returns after availing treatment worth Rs 5 lakh. While this makes us happy that these are the people of our country, Delhi has its own capacity. How can Delhi serve the people of the entire country, so there is a need for improving the healthcare facilities across the nation. It is a matter of great pride and happiness for us that the people of the entire country have confidence in Delhi government hospitals." Arvind Kejriwal Supports Motor Vehicles Act 2019, Says ‘Improvement in Delhi’s Traffic After Execution of MVA’.

"If we only have to treat people who live in Delhi, it won’t take more than 30 minutes for a patient in the hospital," the Chief Minister added. He mentioned that a survey conducted at a hospital situated near the state border concluded that 80 percent of the patients were from outside Delhi. Kejriwal made the remarks on Sunday at the foundation-laying ceremony of a 362-bed trauma centre at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital. He further asserted that Delhi's healthcare model is being built upon that of Denmark.

Delhi Residents Face Long Queues at Hospitals Because of 'Outsiders', Says Arvind Kejriwal

"There has been a massive expansion in the health infrastructure in Delhi at various levels. The dispensaries in Delhi were in adverse conditions, and people had to rush and crowd the big hospitals for simple medical conditions, which is why the Delhi government has constructed 200 'Mohalla' clinics and construction 200 more clinics will be completed in another 10-15 days. Construction of 300 additional Mohalla clinics is being carried out and will be completed by December," Kejriwal said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief also said that the Delhi government saved Rs 290 crore on the construction of the trauma centre. "Ordinarily, large government hospitals across the country are constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore per bed. This hospital should have a cost Rs 362 crore, but the Delhi government is building it for just Rs 71 crore. This has been possible because Delhi has an honest and efficient government that saves taxpayers’ money," Kejriwal said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2019 12:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).