Over 200 CCTV Cameras Non-Operational At Delhi Government Hospitals

New Delhi:

Security vulnerabilities have been identified at leading Delhi government hospitals following a recent RTI disclosure that revealed hundreds of CCTV cameras, essential for monitoring busy hospital environments, are currently inoperative.

At Lok Nayak Hospital, approximately 200 surveillance cameras have ceased functioning. Similar deficiencies exist in other medical facilities, including Lady Hardinge Medical College.

These malfunctioning cameras create significant gaps in security surveillance systems.

According to the RTI response, Lok Nayak Hospital has installed 706 cameras covering various areas including wards, hallways, staircases, and entrances, but 182 are non-functional. At Lady Hardinge, 32 out of 744 installed cameras are offline, despite hospital administrators claiming the systems undergo "regular review."

This situation, however, is not universal across Delhi's government healthcare facilities.

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital presents a contrasting example, with all 574 of its cameras fully operational, highlighting disparities in security infrastructure maintenance among Delhi's premier medical institutions.

These findings emerge amid heightened concerns regarding hospital safety, particularly for healthcare professionals working in these environments.

The rape and murder incident involving a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College last year raised critical questions about inadequate surveillance measures and missing CCTV footage.

Following this incident, the Union Health Ministry issued directives to hospitals nationwide to enhance camera coverage and ensure proper monitoring protocols.

Dr. Aman Kaushik, the RTI activist who requested this information, described these security lapses as concerning.

"The non-functionality of so many CCTV cameras in hospitals that serve thousands of patients daily presents significant risks to doctors, patients, and visitors alike. Following the RG Kar incident, authorities recommended increased camera installation in vulnerable areas. The government must take prompt action to repair defective systems and expand coverage in areas where cameras remain absent," he stated.

Security experts caution that such oversights constitute negligence, particularly considering the high visitor volume, sensitive areas, and safety concerns inherent to government hospitals.

The RTI findings have also highlighted a notable disparity: while RML Hospital demonstrates complete compliance, institutions like Lok Nayak and LHMC continue to exhibit deficiencies, potentially exposing staff and patients to preventable security risks.