CAG raps government hosps for equipment delay

Chennai: How long does it take to procure digital X-rays, dialysis machines with reverse osmosis plants, blood pressure apparatus and automated external defibrillators for government hospitals that treat members of the public?

The answer is it takes at least two years for some of the state government hospitals to procure these life saving equipment. Recent findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General hauled up the state health department in its report and observed the bureaucracy has delayed the procurement of these devices at every level, starting from opening of bids, signing of contracts and completion of procurement.

The bureaucracy and tender system have delayed the procurement of these equipment from about 750 to 800 days. For manual colposcope the procurement process should have started in January 2011, but after 833 days the procurement was not completed, the CAG said.

It was noticed that out of Rs 129 crore released to Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation between April 2010 to March 2013, for procurement of medical equipment, '55.60 crore remain unutilised with TNMSC, even after three years from the date of transfer of funds. Partial utilisation of funds was mainly due to poor planning by TN Health Systems Project and deficiencies in the procurement process.

“It is a fact that the equipment are not purchased on time. Currently the cost of digital X-ray machines, defibrillators and dialysis machines run into several crores and the hospital deans do not have power to purchase costly equipment above '5 lakh and this ceiling needs to be increased. Delay in acquisition of these machines through global tenders and medical services corporation is a long process,” a senior medical officer with Stanley Government Hospital said adding delay in procuring these machines will certainly affect patients on ventilators and critical care.