Kerala Kaumudi impact: Rs 23.82-crore equipment purchase triggers Vigilance probe; 10 years of purchases under scrutiny

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance Department will investigate irregularities related to the purchase of substandard medical equipment valued at Rs 23.82 crore for medical colleges and the Thiruvananthapuram Eye Hospital. These irregularities were highlighted by Kerala Kaumudi, prompting the government to launch an investigation into purchases made over the last 10 years.

Following the report, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan assigned Health Department Principal Secretary Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph to investigate the matter. A departmental inquiry revealed that the purchased equipment had gone to waste and failed to benefit patients. The minister therefore directed a Vigilance probe.

Minister Muraleedharan stated that companies supplying substandard equipment would be blacklisted. Many of the items broke down before their warranties expired, yet the suppliers were unwilling to repair or replace the faulty equipment. A significant portion of the medical equipment acquired for hospitals remains unused, with some items still boxed. Additionally, some equipment that was used failed shortly after being put into service. The Principal Secretary has ordered a thorough investigation, which will include the involvement of technical experts. Among the unusable items are ventilators and equipment intended for surgeries and blood banks.

Losses at Kannur Medical College to be assessed

A technical inspection will be carried out to determine the losses incurred due to equipment purchased for Kannur Medical College Hospital. Notably, the procurement report submitted to the Health Minister did not disclose the amount spent. Furthermore, the expenditure on a portable ventilator purchased for Manjeri Medical College using COVID-19 funds was also not recorded, and the warranty periods for these items have since expired.

Kerala Kaumudi also reported the malfunction of the automated ELISA unit at the Kannur blood bank, as well as ongoing issues with the freezer that have yet to be resolved.