Ahmedabad Kidney Hospital faces investigation over Medical consumables procurement

Ahmedabad: The procurement of medical consumables at the Institute of Kidney Disease and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad, has come under scrutiny after complaints reached the Chief Minister’s Office, prompting the Gujarat Health Department to order a fresh probe.

The move follows allegations that a previous investigation into purchases made under the Gujarat Dialysis Programme was biased. As a result, the state government has decided to reopen the case and review the matter afresh.

Employees who were removed from service in connection with the case have alleged that they were unfairly targeted without being heard. These employees approached the Chief Minister’s Office with documents claiming irregularities in the supply of medical consumables and sought an independent investigation.

Also read- 741 deaths linked to unauthorised stem cell therapy at Gujarat Hospital, alleges Congress

One of the terminated officers under the Gujarat Dialysis Programme claimed that the issue stemmed from collusion between certain traders and a senior official who remained in service despite having crossed the retirement age. He further claimed that although prior approval had been obtained from the Health Minister and the department secretary for the purchase of medical consumables, several junior employees were made scapegoats to protect a senior officer.

He further alleged that none of the employees who were removed were examined during the inquiry. He said, "Even earlier inquiries conducted by the hospital director and the Health Secretary had reportedly found the complaints to be baseless. Despite this, junior staff were dismissed under the guise of an inquiry. The demand for a fresh probe led to orders from Gandhinagar to reopen the case and initiate a CAG audit."

An Additional Director from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) confirmed that a new probe has been assigned, but said the process is yet to begin formally.

“The matter has now been assigned to me for a fresh probe. However, I have not yet received the relevant papers. Until then, it would be premature to comment,” the director said.

Meanwhile, a three-member team of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is believed to have conducted a surprise visit to the kidney hospital and initiated an audit of its financial and administrative records. Gujarat Samachar sources stated that the audit team consisted of an administrative officer and two assistant administrative officers, who had been stationed at the hospital for the past 10 days.

A senior Health Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "Allegations of a multi-crore scam in the purchase of medical consumables under the Gujarat Dialysis Programme had surfaced some time ago. Before the inquiry was completed, four to five junior employees, including the project officer, were removed. Shockingly, the inquiry report did not record statements of those held responsible. The probe was subsequently closed, leading the employees to approach the Chief Minister’s Office."

Also read- Padma Shri Awardee Nephrologist Dr H L Trivedi no more