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

Written by Medical Dialogues Team Published On 2025-04-22T11:30:35+05:30 | Updated On 22 April 2025 11:38 AM IST

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Jabalpur: 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.

A division bench of the High Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Vikas Mahawar from Jabalpur. Following this, the division bench summoned the Principal Secretary of the Medical Education Department and the Managing Director of the MP Public Health Services Corporation to explain the prolonged delay.

The State Cancer Institute, situated within the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College in Jabalpur, is the only dedicated cancer treatment centre in Madhya Pradesh. It serves as a critical lifeline for patients from the Jabalpur, Mahakaushal, and Bundelkhand regions. However, the ongoing lack of facilities has turned the institute into a symbol of neglect.

According to submissions made during the hearing, tenders for procuring machines were floated two or three times but had to be cancelled as only one or two bidders responded. The officials confirmed to the court that this was the reason for the cancellation of earlier tenders.

The High Court took a serious view of the matter and directed the officials to proceed with the procurement process, irrespective of the number of bids received in the upcoming round of tendering, which is scheduled to be opened on May 6.

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As per the recent media reports by the Economic Times, Advocate Vikas Mahawar from Jabalpur, in his PIL, said that the Cancer Institute at Jabalpur Medical College lies largely defunct as it doesn't have the necessary equipment and machines to treat cancer patients. In the year 2016, the government allocated Rs 84 crore for the purchase of equipment and machines, but there have not been any purchases made so far.

Advocate Vikas Mahawar informed the court that the central government had allocated a total budget of 135 crore rupees for the State Cancer Institute, out of which Rs 50 crore were spent on constructing the building, reports Bhaskar English.

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The case has been adjourned for the next hearing on May 13, when the court is expected to review the developments in the procurement process.

MP high courtPublic Interest LitigationNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical CollegeCancer Institute

Medical Dialogues Team