The number of beds in Delhi hospitals increased to 49,969 in 2015-16, nearly 20 per cent more than what it was six years ago, according to the latest Economic Survey of the national capital released today.
"The total number of hospital beds increased from 41,706 in 2010 to 49,969 in 2015-16 thereby also increasing the bed population ratio (beds per 1,000 persons) from 2.54 to 2.76 in the same period," the survey says.
Besides, the Economic Survey 2016-17, also says that about 84.41 per cent of the total births in the city were institutional in 2015.
Seeking to boost the healthcare system, the AAP government recently joined hands with the 41 NABH-accredited hospitals, where patients can seek surgery free of cost, if the waiting period in Delhi hospitals exceeds one month.
Last December, the government had tied up with eight private laboratories to facilitate free MRIs and CT scans for needy patients.
"Important vital indicators like Infant Mortality Rate, Neo-Natal Mortality Rate, Under Five Mortality Rate in respect of Delhi for the year 2015 stand at lower levels -- 24 (CRS), 15 (CRS), and 24 (SRS) in comparison to the all-India levels, viz., 40, 16 and 29 respectively," it said.
However, the Infant Mortality Rate (CRS) in Delhi has risen compared to the figure in 2013, when it stood at 22.
Sample Registration System (SRS) and Civil Registration System (CRS) are two of the major sources of vital statistics in the country.
The survey also says that the crude death rate (the total number of deaths per year per 1,000 people) in Delhi is also among the "lowest in the country" and life expectancy is on the higher side, at around 72 years.
"Per capita expenditure on health in Delhi has increased to Rs 2,999 in 2015-16 from Rs 1,243 in the year 2009-10," the survey said.
Health sector infrastructure in Delhi consists of 1,507 dispensaries, 1,057 nursing homes, 265 maternity homes, 69 polyclinics/special clinics, 94 hospitals and 17 medical colleges.
The Delhi government has been emphasising that health and education are two of the major sectors in which it has laid special emphasis on in the last two years of the administration.
The survey further says that there are 5,100 ASHAs (accredited social health activists) working in Delhi as on April 2016. One ASHA is selected per 2,000 population.
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