Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Delhi's largest government hospital faces respiratory medicine shortage amid severe air pollution
Delhi is facing very bad air quality, which is making many people sick.
The biggest government hospital in Delhi, called Lok Nayak Hospital, is running out of important medicines that help people breathe better.
These medicines include things like cough syrups, inhalers, and nebuliser solutions.
Many patients who can't afford to buy these medicines from private pharmacies are struggling.
The hospital says they haven't received enough medicines because of delays in the government's buying process.
The air quality in Delhi has been very poor, making it harder for people to breathe, especially those with lung problems.
Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi is facing a shortage of essential respiratory medicines due to severe air pollution.
Patients are unable to get medicines like nebuliser solutions, cough syrups, multivitamins, and inhalers, forcing them to buy from private pharmacies.
The cost of these medicines ranges from a few hundred to over a thousand rupees, making it difficult for poor patients to afford.
The hospital's last procurement of medicines was in October, only 25% of the required quantity, due to delays in the government's procurement process.
Delhi's air quality has been in the 'severe' category on multiple days, exacerbating respiratory issues.
- Who
- Patients and healthcare staff at Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi's largest government hospital
- What
- Shortage of essential respiratory medicines amid severe air pollution
- When
- During the winter season, with recent procurement in October
- Where
- Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, India
- Why
- Due to procurement delays and routing purchases through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA)
- Hospital
- Lok Nayak Hospital
- Medicines in short supply
- Nebuliser solutions, cough syrups, multivitamins, inhalers (e.g., Tiova, NAC 600, Seroflo, Budecort, Ipratropium)
- Cost of medicines
- Ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand rupees per unit
- Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi
- 373 on Thursday, 'severe' category above 400 on multiple days
- Last procurement of medicines
- October, only 25% of required quantity
- Procurement method
- Through Central Procurement Agency (CPA) via tendering process