In a bid to ensure transparency and speedy tendering process, the Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC) on Monday introduced e-tendering and e-procurement process to purchase drugs and equipments for the Government hospitals. “The OSMC will ensure timely procurement of quality medicines, surgical and EIF (equipment instrument and furniture) centrally adhering to a fair, transparent, competitive tendering process for all Government hospitals and medical colleges,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak after launching the system.
Concerned officials of the OSMC and other stakeholders and bidders have been given training to use the facility. “One of the main advantages of the new move will be that the name of companies participating in the tendering process, as well as their details will be available online. Moreover, all the companies and their bids will become accountable. Supply of quality products from qualified manufacturers can be ensured,” said OSMC Managing Director Roopa Mishra.
Mishra said around 370 varieties of essential medicines of all kinds of diseases, including of cancer, would be procured through e-tendering process and would be provided to patients at all Government hospitals starting from CHC to the medical college level under the Free Medicine Distribution Scheme announced by the Government recently.
The main functions of the corporation would be timely procurement of quality medicines, surgical and instrument and furniture, managing 39 dug warehouses across the State to ensure smooth flow of supply to health facilities through a centralised online inventory management system, besides procurement and maintenance of medical equipment across health facilities.
The corporation will take over the charge of 39 drug warehouse set up in the State from April this year.