Delhi health secretary ‘incommunicado’ amid fire at Delhi hospital that killed 6 babies: Saurabh Bharadwaj

He claimed it has been four days since the accident and the Health Secretary is “absconding” and not responding to his repeated calls, messages and emails.

The minister said on May 27, he called a meeting with the health secretary and other health officials but alleged Kumar did not attend it. “I was informed he is on leave but he did not inform me that he is on leave,” Bharadwaj wrote.

Bharadwaj further said this is happening because officials have been told they do not have any accountability towards the minister.

“I believe the death of newborns is a very sensitive matter and if someone is on leave, sick, or has gone somewhere, they should have either informed their minister about the reason or should have cancelled their leave or continued their duty from where they are,” he added.

He alleged that officers who do not follow orders, stop free treatment, stop free medicine, or stop the work of the public, the L-G protects them.

“This is very unfortunate that the L-G does not know about administrative issues. On top of it, he is doing politics on such sensitive issues,” he wrote.

Bharadwaj Sunday had asked officials to speed up the inquiry in the case and directed the health department to ensure the best treatment for the injured newborns at the best private hospitals under the Farishtey Scheme.