After Ayushman Bharat fraud, PGI Chandigarh revamps procurement system
Chandigarh: The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has recently implemented comprehensive changes to its procurement process following a high-profile scam linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, where funds were allegedly misappropriated through the use of forged bills and records of deceased patients.
The institute has decided to eliminate third-party vendors from the procurement chain for implants and medical consumables.
Under the new system, all transactions related to surgeries and specialised treatments under cashless schemes will be conducted directly between the hospital and authorized manufacturers or in-house pharmacies, leaving no scope for private intermediaries to interact with the medical staff.
To further prevent the influence of external elements, the administration has strictly prohibited vendors from engaging in direct transactions with doctors, hospital staff, or patients. Also, to maintain transparency, all requirements will now be submitted through a centralized internal system.
According to the ET media report, these vendors previously often acted as middlemen in procuring implants, leading to price manipulation and billing fraud.
PGI is now transitioning toward a secure online indenting system. This digital solution, integrated with the Hospital Information System, utilises a real-time tracking system to replace manual records. Under this initiative, every medication and implant issued is digitally linked to a specific patient's ID and the approval of the treating consultant.
To further safeguard patients against the "resale of medicines" racket, the institution is increasing its staff strength to ensure that medicines and implants are delivered directly to the patients' bedsides. By eliminating the need for attendants to carry handwritten prescriptions to external pharmacies, the hospital aims to curb the use of counterfeit stamps and forged documents, practices that lay at the root of the recent scam.
