New Delhi, Aug. 8 -- The Delhi high court on Friday observed that it was shocking that imported medical equipment worth nearly Rs.50-60 crore was lying unused at Delhi government hospitals owing to a shortage of manpower and the non-availability of essential accessories.

The observations came while the court was hearing a suo motu case on the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds with ventilator facilities in Delhi government hospitals and the functioning of emergency helplines. The bench was examining reports filed by hospitals pursuant to its July 3 order directing them to audit machinery lying unused and identify the reasons for them remaining idle.

A bench of justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora directed the Delhi...