Gorakhpur won’t be repeated in Delhi, says Health Minister

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16

In the backdrop of the Gorakhpur children's deaths, Health Minister Satyendar Jain today assured “Gorakhpur won’t be repeated in Delhi” as everything is in place and supply of all medicines and consumables is 90 per cent in all government hospitals.

A helpline service will be launched soon and its functioning will be directly monitored by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The government has also raised the amount to Rs 1 crore up to which the medical superintendents of hospitals can carry out emergency purchases of medicines or equipment.

The announcements came following a review meeting by the Chief Minister of the status of availability of medicines and surgical consumables and functioning of hospital equipment in the city government-run hospitals.

“All medical superintendents and medical directors were called. There is 90-95 per cent availability of medicines in all hospitals and for the remaining the work of tendering will be completed soon,” Jain told reporters here.

“A helpline is going to be launched soon and all problems can be reported through the same. Daily reports are going to be submitted to the Chief Minister.... In Delhi, Gorakhpur won’t be repeated. We review the status of health facilities regularly and everything is in place. The supply is proper, medicines are available, there is no shortage of oxygen and the issue of payment to vendors has been checked,” said Jain.

To ensure no delay in treatment happens due to unavailability of medicines and equipment in its hospitals, the government has entrusted the heads and medical superintendents with special powers to deal with purchase of medicines in case tenders fail in the absence of bidders.

The government is also going to appoint nodal officers in its all hospitals to address complaints of non-availability of medicines.

“Hundred per cent power is being given to all medical superintendents to repair old equipment and ensure all in workable condition. The heads of big and small hospitals henceforth can purchase new equipment up to Rs 1 crore cost for which they do not seek approval,” the Health Minister said.

Currently, under emergency powers the limit for purchases allowed to medical superintendents is Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50 lakh for big and small hospitals, respectively.

Noting that all emergencies in government hospitals are working fine, Jain said with regard to contract of the government hospitals with vendors the average payment time is 30 days barring few when the delay goes to 60 days. Normally our contract specifies the payment should be made in 45 days. We have been assured that no payment will be kept pending beyond 30 days. The supply of consumables is largely normal,” noted Jain.

Besides Jain, the meeting, held in the wake of shocking deaths of over 70 children in Gorakhpur, was attended by Chief Secretary MM Kutty, Principal Secretary, Finance SN Sahai, Health Secretary Madhup Vyas and all directors/heads/medical superintendents of the hospitals.