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India Today
2 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Maharashtra orders probes Rs 60 crore vaccine equipment tender irregularities
The Maharashtra Health Department has initiated a high-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in two major equipment tenders worth over Rs 60 crore. The tenders, issued by the Deputy Director of Health Services (Transport), Pune, in July 2024, were for the procurement of Ice Lined Refrigerators (ILRs) and Deep freezers used to store vaccines across the to a detailed complaint accessed by India Today TV, the tender process was marred by manipulation and overpricing. The complaint alleges that although the Health Department had sought and secured administrative approval for top-specification cold chain equipment featuring advanced technologies such as a rotomoulded body, remote temperature monitoring, and lifetime warranties, the tenders were floated and awarded for lower-specification products. Despite the downgrade in quality, the equipment was procured at prices comparable to or higher than those approved for high-specification approved budget per unit was Rs 3.84 lakh for ILRs and Rs 4.24 lakh for Deepfreezers, with requirements for 1,700 ILRs and 1,300 Deepfreezers. However, as per the complaint, the actual market cost of these products was significantly lower, approximately Rs 70,000 each. Yet, the tendered prices were Rs 3.05 lakh per ILR and Rs 2.45 lakh per Deepfreezer. Notably, both companies that won the contracts had listed their product prices on the WHO website as Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 per unit. The complaint further states that multiple applicants were disqualified on technical grounds, leaving only two companies in contention. These two reportedly withdrew their bids for the alternate tenders, resulting in each company being the sole eligible bidder for one contract. This sequence of events raised concerns of possible cartelisation and alleged collusion with officials in the DDHS points of allegations have been raised in the complaint, including manipulation of the tendering process to favour specific companies, questionable disqualification of other applicants, and suspiciously fast-tracked payments. Although an initial audit cleared the DDHS officials and the companies involved, the complainant has challenged the findings and is considering approaching the Bombay High while the department claims that no payments have been released, the complaint alleges that large sums were already disbursed, despite pending deliveries or records of simultaneous deliveries at multiple locations on the same to the allegations, Dr Nitin Devmane, Officer on Special Duty to the Maharashtra Health Minister, confirmed the formation of a high-level inquiry committee."A high-level inquiry committee has been set up to probe the alleged irregularities, and we are awaiting the report from that committee. Once the Committee submits the report, as per the report, appropriate action will be taken," he said. He also added, "No payments for the two contracts have been released and won't be released till the inquiry report is tabled."The inquiry committee, constituted by the Secretary of the Health Department, is currently reviewing the matter.- Ends
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
TNGDA seeks action against Madurai health official for unprofessional conduct
Madurai: The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) has demanded strict action against Dr P Kumaragurubaran, deputy director of health services (DDHS), Madurai, following allegations of workplace harassment and unprofessional conduct during official meetings. According to TNGDA, several medical officers recently lodged complaints accusing the DDHS of using abusive language during video conference meetings. A formal complaint was filed with the director of public health on May 17, and an inquiry was conducted on May 24 by the joint director of health services. Around 25 doctors reportedly appeared for the inquiry and submitted their statements. The controversy escalated on Sunday when a video allegedly showing Dr Kumaragurubaran using inappropriate language and gestures during an online meeting was anonymously shared on social media, where it quickly went viral. TNGDA condemned his behaviour, calling it unacceptable and unprofessional. TNGDA state president Dr K Senthil told TOI that doctors had also complained about extended video meetings held beyond official working hours, with claims that women staff were made to stay back late unnecessarily. "If the DDHS needed to take disciplinary action, it should have been done through proper channels," he said. As a mark of protest, TNGDA announced that its members will boycott communication with Dr Kumaragurubaran until action is taken. "Doctors have been instructed to block him on WhatsApp and respond only to official circulars. Leave applications will be routed directly through the district health office via email. Patient care will not be affected," Dr Senthil clarified, warning that the association will escalate its protest if the issue is not addressed. MSID:: 121417958 413 |
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Data on health indicators show decline in live births, IMR in Tiruchi district
A total of 30,716 live births were reported in the period 2024-2025 (April to March) in Tiruchi district, showing a considerable decline from previous years, according to official data on health indicators. As per a release from the office of the Deputy Director of Health Services (DDHS) Tiruchi, the number of live births in 2022-2023 was 34,735, and had decreased to 32,569 in the period 2023-2024. The sex ratio at birth was recorded at 948 females per 1,000 males in the district. The infant mortality rate (IMR) for the past year is 321 deaths per 1,000 live births, an improvement from 351 in 2023-2024, and 383 in 2022-2023. 'The IMR has gone down because of the decrease in the number of live births. However, we are aiming to reduce our current percentage of 10.5% to below the State average of 7.7%,' V.C. Hemachand Gandhi, DDHS, told The Hindu on Wednesday. Dr. Gandhi said that pre-term delivery in underweight mothers was among the main causes of infant deaths. The lack of parental consent for medical termination of pregnancies when congenital malformations are detected, is another factor, she said. This year, 698 underweight mothers, who have completed 12 weeks of pregnancy have been registered for closer monitoring in Tiruchi district. 'From April, we have opened a case sheet for underweight mothers at all Primary Health Centres in the district. They will be monitored through anganwadis and given nutritional supplements. We have proposed assigning a healthcare worker nearby for each of these mothers to give one-to-one support on a weekly basis,' said Dr. Gandhi. 'We have also tightened the system for scanning for congenital anomalies. Mondays and Thursdays will be given exclusively to ante-natal women in the respective centres. Though maternal deaths are being assessed properly, we need to improve IMR monitoring,' she added. With regards to maternal mortality ratio, according to official statistics, Tiruchi district's MMR stood at 45.6 per 1,00,000 live births during the period 2024-2025 (April to March). A total of 14 maternal deaths were recorded in this period. 'We will start monitoring mothers for thyroid, anemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and heart disease. These complications have to be followed carefully, especially in women who are undergoing fertility treatment, and may not be informed about the health risks,' said Dr. Gandhi. A total of 34 still births were recorded in the past year, comparatively lower than 64 in 2023-2024 and 102 in 2022-2023. The immunisation coverage up to March 2025 was also comprehensive. 'We are working on bringing in private healthcare providers into the U-WIN vaccination portal for pregnant women and children under the Universal Immunisation Programme. At present 36 private hospitals are empanelled with us; data from at least 200 paediatric centres will be added to the U-WIN portal. We are also training staff from private hospitals for this procedure,' said Dr. Gandhi.
