Boxes unopened, equipment wasted: Health Department report flags Rs 23.82-crore scandal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Medical equipment worth Rs 23.82 crore purchased for medical college hospitals and the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) in Thiruvananthapuram has gone to waste without being put to use for patients, according to a report submitted to Health Minister K. Muraleedharan. Several machines are lying unused without their boxes even being opened. The equipment includes ventilators, dialysis machines, X-ray machines and mammography machines, with some costing more than Rs 3 lakh.

The report was submitted by a team led by Health Department Principal Secretary Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, which investigated irregularities in the purchase of hospital equipment over the past 10 years. The findings come to light while an investigation is under way into the wastage of medicines worth crores of rupees purchased by the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL). The report on medical equipment has emerged while that investigation is in progress.

The information available indicates that purchase orders were placed after inflating the stated requirements for medical equipment. There is suspicion that a substantial amount was paid as commission to people concerned. The report states that equipment lying unused at medical college hospitals has passed its expiry period.

Figures unclear at Kannur and Manjeri

The report does not specify the value of losses involving equipment purchased for Kannur Medical College. It states that the automated ELISA unit at the blood bank, which is used to screen blood donated by donors, is not functioning. The technical problem with a freezer has also not been rectified.

At Manjeri Medical College, the cost of portable ventilators purchased using COVID-19 funds has not been recorded. The report notes that their warranty period has expired.

The investigation into equipment purchased for government hospitals is also continuing. It is expected that the final report could reveal that equipment worth a substantial amount has been rendered unusable. Health Department officials, however, say that earlier media reports on the matter were incorrect.

Kottayam and Alappuzha account for the highest reported losses

The report lists the losses involving medical college hospitals and the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Thiruvananthapuram as follows:

• Thiruvananthapuram Medical College: Rs 2.84 crore
• Kottayam Medical College: Rs 4.95 crore
• Alappuzha Medical College: Rs 4.63 crore
• Idukki Medical College: Rs 1.52 crore
• Thrissur Medical College: Rs 2.52 crore
• Kozhikode Medical College: Rs 2.23 crore
• Manjeri Medical College: Rs 1.73 crore
• Wayanad Medical College: Rs 39.08 lakh
• Kasaragod Medical College: Rs 82.54 lakh
• Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Thiruvananthapuram: Rs 2.15 crore