Delhi's Largest Government Hospital Faces Respiratory Medicine Shortage Amidst Pollution Crisis
Delhi's top government hospital runs out of respiratory medicines as air pollution peaks.
Photo by Chris LeBoutillier
Quick Revision
Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP) in Delhi facing shortage of respiratory medicines
Outpatient numbers for respiratory illnesses up by 20% due to air pollution
Medicines like nebuliser solutions, cough syrups, inhalers are unavailable
Key Numbers
Visual Insights
Delhi's Public Health Strain Amidst Pollution Crisis (Dec 2025)
Key indicators highlighting the immediate impact of severe air pollution and medicine shortages on Delhi's public health system, as reported in December 2025.
- Surge in Respiratory OPD Cases
- 20%Significant increase
- Essential Respiratory Medicine Availability
- Critical ShortageSevere decline
- Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on Health (India)
- ~45-50%Persistent high
Reported surge in outpatient department visits for respiratory illnesses at Delhi's largest government hospital (LNJP) due to severe air pollution.
Patients at LNJP are being asked to purchase crucial drugs like nebuliser solutions, cough syrups, and inhalers from private pharmacies due to empty hospital shelves.
While specific to Delhi, such shortages force patients into high out-of-pocket spending, which remains a significant burden on Indian households, especially for medicines.
Exam Angles
Public Health and Healthcare Delivery (GS-II)
Environmental Pollution and Degradation (GS-III)
Governance and Accountability (GS-II)
Social Justice and Right to Health (GS-II)
Urban Planning and Infrastructure (GS-I/III)
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Summary
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding air pollution management in India: 1. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) across all major Indian cities. 3. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to achieve a 20% to 30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct. CAQM was established by an ordinance in 2020 and later made statutory under the CAQM Act, 2021, which draws powers from the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Statement 2 is incorrect. GRAP is implemented by CAQM in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its adjoining areas, not by CPCB across all major Indian cities. Statement 3 is correct. NCAP's target is indeed a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year.
2. With reference to public health infrastructure and medicine procurement in India, consider the following statements: 1. 'Health' is primarily a subject under the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. 2. The National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) is a list of medicines that are considered essential for a country's healthcare system and are expected to be available at all times in adequate amounts. 3. Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health in India is significantly higher than the global average, primarily due to limited public health spending and reliance on private healthcare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. 'Public Health and Sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries' is primarily a State Subject (Entry 6 of List II - State List) under the Seventh Schedule. While certain aspects like population control and family planning are on the Concurrent List, the core health infrastructure and service delivery fall under the State List. Statement 2 is correct. NLEM indeed lists essential medicines crucial for the healthcare system. Statement 3 is correct. India has one of the highest OOPEs globally, indicating a significant burden on individuals due to inadequate public health funding and reliance on private sector.
3. Match List-I (Air Pollutant) with List-II (Primary Source/Effect) and select the correct answer using the code given below: List-I (Air Pollutant) I. Ground-level Ozone II. Carbon Monoxide III. Sulphur Dioxide IV. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) List-II (Primary Source/Effect) A. Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, especially from vehicles B. Secondary pollutant formed from NOx and VOCs in sunlight C. Burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur, industrial processes D. Fine particles from combustion, dust, and industrial emissions, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases Code: I II III IV
- A.B A C D
- B.A B D C
- C.B C A D
- D.D A C B
Show Answer
Answer: A
I. Ground-level Ozone (B): It is a secondary pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. II. Carbon Monoxide (A): Primarily produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, especially from vehicles. III. Sulphur Dioxide (C): Mainly released from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil) containing sulfur, particularly in power plants and industrial processes. IV. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) (D): Fine particles from various sources like combustion, dust, and industrial emissions, known to cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
4. Assertion (A): The shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals, especially during health crises like severe air pollution, constitutes a violation of the 'Right to Health' for citizens. Reason (R): The 'Right to Health' is explicitly guaranteed as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, mandating the state to provide all necessary healthcare services without any financial burden on citizens. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: C
Assertion (A) is true. The Supreme Court has interpreted Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) to include the 'Right to Health'. A shortage of essential medicines, forcing patients to buy from private pharmacies, undermines this right, especially for vulnerable populations. Reason (R) is false. While the 'Right to Health' is indeed derived from Article 21 through judicial interpretation, it is not 'explicitly guaranteed' in the text of Article 21. Furthermore, while the state has a responsibility, the interpretation does not mandate providing 'all necessary healthcare services without any financial burden on citizens' in an absolute sense, especially given the current public health expenditure models. The state's obligation is to strive for universal access and reasonable provision.