VIJAYAWADA: With allegations coming to light over improper usage of funds for maintenance of medical equipment in various government hospitals across the State, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) has directed the officials of new Government General Hospital (GGH) to submit a detailed report on its equipment.
According to GGH officials, the State government entrusted the task of maintenance of bio medical equipment in government hospitals and primary health centres to Telematic Biomedical Services Private Limited (TBS) through AP Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APMSIDC). However, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed at Hyderabad High Court, against the TBS, by Prajadhana Parirakshana Samithi, alleging misappropriation of crores of rupees in the name of equipment and machinery maintenance in State-run hospitals across the State.
The HC then directed Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials to conduct an inquiry into allegations against officials of the Medical and Health department regarding the utilisation of National Health Mission (NHM) funds. During their investigation, several irregularities reportedly came to light at Visakhapatnam,
Guntur and Kurnool government hospitals. A report in this regard was also drafted by the officials.
Suspecting a similar situation at the remaining of government hospitals in the State, the DME directed all the superintendents to submit a detailed report on equipment maintenance. “We are maintaining data on the medical equipment and machinery. A report will be submitted to the State government in a few days, as per the norms prescribed by the higher authorities,” said S Babu Lal, superintendent of new GGH.