After the shortage of anti rabies vaccine, glucose bottle and many other drugs the severe shortage of X-ray films has surfaced at Doon Medical College hospital now. In absence of X ray films the patients visiting the biggest hospital of the State are being asked to get them done from outside.
It is learnt that the department of radiology is also facing severe shortage of the films meant for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and CT scans. Incidentally the hospital is hampered by the shortage of Glucose bottle which is one of the most common and essential fluid administered Intra Venous (IV) in the patients.
Similarly another life saving drug, anti rabies vaccine is also off the shelves of the hospital. The hospital is also facing severe shortage of other important drugs and medicines. The hospital administration is citing lack of budget for the impediment.
It is pertinent to mention here that the State health department implemented a new policy for procurement of drugs on July 13 last year. The experts opine that the new policy is impractical although it appears good on paper.
In the new policy the department has kept a minimum turnover of Rs 20 Crore for a State based firm and Rs 70 Crore for a national firm which intends to participate in process of tender for supplying medicines in state. The policy has a rider that the selected firm should supply the medicines at a rate which is at least 23 percent less than the MRP. These pre-conditions appear to have become deterrents for the interested parties to participate in the tender process.
The newly appointed, Director General (DG) of state health services, Dr Kusum Narriyal told The Pioneer that the issue of shortage of medicines and equipment is in her notice. She said that a high level meeting chaired by state health minister would be organised on Wednesday and decision on these issues would be taken.