Maha Govt to set up Medical Authority to procure medicines for Govt Hospitals

Nagpur: The state government is mulling setting up Maharashtra Medical Authority on the lines of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority for regular supply of medicines and other items to medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan informed the Legislative Council that a decision will be taken in this regard soon.

MLC Pravin Datke raised the issue of problems faced by hospitals due to Haffkine's faulty operation of drug and machinery supply.

Replying to this, Mahajan said the delay in the supply of medicines, surgical materials and machinery to medical colleges and hospitals is being noticed. A decision to establish the Maharashtra Medical Authority on the lines of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will be taken soon and added that the process of preparing the rules regarding the purchase of medicine is also underway.

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He further informed the upper house that about Rs 1500 crores of funds were given to Haffkine but out of that Rs 650 crores remained unused. A government circular has been issued in this regard and essential instructions have been given.

Apart from this, the purchasing department of Haffkine Corporation will be empowered and strengthened, the minister assured.

MLCs Pravin Pote Patil, Satish Chavan, Sachin Ahir and others participated in the discussion in this context and asked questions.

Deputy Chairperson Dr. Neelam Gorhe is going to convene a meeting next month regarding the functioning of Haffkine Institute and facilities for researchers. Mahajan said that Haffkine will be inspected before the meet.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court had clarified that doctors are required to treat patients on emergency basis without any delay and therefore it should be ensured that doctors do not have to face any shortage of medicines or medical equipment while providing treatments to patients.  

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