By Farooq Ganai, NAK
Jammu : Contrary to the claims of coalition government regarding improvement in the health sector, the recent report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) presents grim scenario in the state health and medical education department, which has not only made an `ideal’ investment of Rs 50 lakh but equipments worth lakh of rupees were also lying `unused’ from last nine years.
The issue of no-utilization of the medical equipments has always been one of the key focuses of the annual budget reports and the previous records revealed that the department has been indulging in the huge expenditure without requirement from the year 1887.
The Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the years ended 1997-98, 1998-90 mentioned about non-utilization of machinery and equipment procured by the Director Health Services Jammu/Srinagar.
The issue was again discussed in the meetings of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during the years 2000-01 and 2005-06 which recommended fixing of responsibility on the officers responsible for idling of the machinery and equipment.
Issue of medical equipment to health institution without ascertaining the availability of requisite infrastructure resulted in idle investment of Rs. 37.01 lakh, the CAG report said.
“Test check of records of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kathua and four Block Medical Officers (BMO)3 in Jammu Division revealed that the department purchased and issued medical equipments (ME) costing Rs. 49.53 lakh to various health institutions during the period 1998-2006 without ensuring availability of infrastructure facilities in these institutions for their proper utilization”.
It was also revealed, that, ME (medical equipments) were laying idle in these institutions due to non-availability of trained staff, proper accommodation, required power supply, etc. BMO’s Hiranagar and R.S. Pura stated that he matter had been taken up with the higher authorities.
The report further revealed that the medical equipments valued at Rs. 25.88 lakh had not been put to use by CMO Kathua and three BMOs and equipments valued at Rs. 12.52 lakh issued to CMO Kathua had been installed and put to use after a delay of 1-4 years.
“Purchase and supply of Medical Equipments without ascertaining availability of infrastructure and trained manpower, has thus, resulted in idling of Medical Equipments for a period, ranging from seven months to nine years with consequent blocking in investment of Rs. 37.01 lakh, besides delay in installation of machinery valued at Rs. 12.52 lakh for a period ranging between one and four years”, the report added.
The idle investment has not only made loss to the state exchequer but also deprived the patients of wished-for diagnostic and surgical facilities in these areas.