Jabalpur Cancer Institute remains Non-functional, No bids for equipments: HC Informed

Jabalpur: The long-pending issue of the non-functional cancer institute at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, continues to drag on, with the Madhya Pradesh government informing the High Court that no bids were received for the latest tender floated to procure critical medical equipment. 

The issue came up during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Vikas Mahavar, who argued that the non-functional status of the cancer institute is a violation of patients’ fundamental rights. Despite ₹84 crore being sanctioned as early as 2016 for equipment and infrastructure, the division bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain was informed that tenders had been floated to procure the required equipment. However, earlier attempts were cancelled due to receiving only one or two bids. 

Also Read: 9-Year Delay in Equipment Procurement for Jabalpur Cancer Institute: MP HC

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Madhya Pradesh High Court has expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in procuring the critical medical equipment for the Cancer Institute at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur. Despite a budget allocation of Rs 84 crore nine years ago, essential equipment for the institute is yet to be procured.

In previous hearings, the court was told that tenders for equipment purchase had been floated several times but were either cancelled or failed due to limited participation. The court had specifically directed the state health and medical education department not to cancel the tender this time, even if only a single bid was received. However, the court was informed this week that not a single bid was submitted in response to the latest tender.

According to the TOI report, the court was informed on behalf of the state government that tenders were invited two to three times for the purchase of equipment, but each time, tenders were cancelled for technical reasons. The purchase has to be made by the MP Public Health Service Corporation.

Also Read: MP High Court Orders Action Against Doctors for Forging Disability Certificates in Accident Claims

The tender was floated again, inviting bids, and the technical bid was to be opened on April 29, with tenders opening on July 6. The court, while asking officials to take a call on the bid received, exempted them from a personal hearing, TOI reports.

The High Court has also been informed that a separate petition challenging a previous tender cancellation has been filed by a company, which will now be heard jointly with the original PIL. The next hearing is scheduled for May 15.

As per the news reports, in a previous court session, Principal Secretary (Health) Sandeep Yadav acknowledged that tenders were cancelled earlier due to the low number of participating bidders. The court has since instructed that both the Principal Secretary and the Managing Director of the MP Public Health Service Corporation be made respondents in the matter.