‘Flawed’ user charges policy delays medical purchases

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 5

With the purchasing power of Rs 50,000, at a time, by the head of the medical institutions in the state, the newly formulated user charges policy have left the institutions handicapped. Despite having crores in their account, the Government Rajindra Hospital and Government Medical College, are unable to make timely purchases: courtesy, flaws in the newly formulated user-charges policy.

As per the policy, for any purchase or work, which involves expenditure above Rs 50, 000, the medical institutions have to send proposals to the Directorate Medical Education and Research (DRME) to get the clearance, which delays the process of purchasing.

In fact, Medical College Patiala and Government Rajindra Hospital have not done any purchase over Rs 50,000 – ever since the policy was implemented.

In September, the state government had decided to give financial autonomy to the government medical institutions, in the state. The move was meant to streamline the purchase made by the government medical colleges and hospitals, in the state. Under the revised policy, the heads of the institutions have the power to spend a meagre amount Rs 50, 000, at a time.

However, in emergency cases only, the head can spend up to Rs 5 lakh. On the other hand, a Senior Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon is allowed to spend user charges in lakhs. 

Before this revised policy, the medical institutions had to deposit user charges in the government treasury and the government would allocate funds. 

Due to this flaw in the purchasing process, Government Rajindra Hospital couldn’t buy even blood testing kits - an essential item - in time. Consequently, hospital is facing a shortage of test kits.

Confirming the delaying process, principal Medical College BS Sidhu, said, “In the initial stage, usually there are some bottlenecks in any policy. However, we have sent the proposals to the DRME for necessary items. I hope we will soon get the nod for the purchase.”

When Medical Superintendent Government Rajindra Hospital, Rajan Singla, said, “We are not facing any delay in the purchase. Recently, we purchased some X-ray equipment. The whole process of getting the nod from the DRME took a week.”

Director of Medical Education and Research (DRME) Dr Avnish Kumar, said, “There is no delay in giving the nod. Moreover, as per policy, they have the power to purchase up to 5 lakh – in emergency situations.”