Govt to set up Central Unit to procure medicines for hospitals

In order to bring transparency in procuring medicines for all its hospitals, Delhi government has plans to set up 'Central Procurement Unit' in a bid to put an end to unreasonable rates of medicines, their wastage and shortage.

According to a government official, the move will also bring down the cost of procurement of medical equipment and medicines by up to 50 per cent.

At present, government hospitals procure medicines and other medical equipment from different agencies due to which they have to pay commission to middlemen. Besides, there is also complaint of alleged irrgularities in procuring consignment.

"Health Minister Satyendra Jain has asked senior officials to prepare a proposal in this regard.

"With the set up of Central Procurement Unit, transparent system can be introduced in buying medicines and medical equipment for government-run hospitals," said a senior official.

The official said that goverment hospitals can procure medicines from this unit at reasonable price and will not be required to give commission to the middlemen.

"Central Procurement Unit will also put an end to unreasonable rates of medicines. It will also stop their wastage and shortage," the official said.

"This unit also will also bring down the cost of procurement of medical equipment and medicines by up to 50 per cent," the official added.

In its election manifestion, the Aam Aadmi Party had promised to create 900 new Primary Health Centers and 30,000 more beds in the city's hospitals, out of which 4,000 will be in maternity wards.

It also promised to ensure that Delhi conforms to the international norm of five beds for every 1,000 people