HC seeks update on medical equipment procurement at CIMS Bilaspur
Bilaspur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CMSCL) to submit an updated report on the procurement and installation of essential medical equipment at Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur.
A division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal issued the direction while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the availability of medical equipment at the institute.
The court was informed that 13 equipment items for which purchase orders had already been issued have now been delivered to CIMS. The procurement process for B-Scan and EEG machines has also moved forward, with purchase orders issued after completion of the tender process.
CMSCL further informed the court that tenders for a Fibre Optic Bronchoscope and an Anaesthesia Work Station had been finalised, with purchase orders issued on July 8 and July 20 respectively.
For several other machines, the procurement process is at different stages. Demonstrations have been completed for an ENT Operating Microscope, Ventilator and Multipara Monitor, with financial bids expected to be opened shortly.
The successful bidder for a Bipolar Generator has also completed the demonstration stage, while the tender process for a Digital Video Colonoscope is nearing completion.
Bids for Ultrasonography with Doppler, USG with Eco Wetfield Bipolar Cautery and Cyclotherapy machines are currently being assessed.
However, procurement of some equipment continues to face delays. The bidder for a Loupe with LED Light did not clear the demonstration stage, requiring the authorities to initiate a fresh tender.
While taking note of the progress made by CMSCL, the High Court observed that procurement of several items was still pending or would require re-tendering.
According to Medical Buyer, the court has directed the Managing Director of CMSCL to file a comprehensive status report detailing the progress of procurement and installation. The matter will be heard again on August 31.
The court was informed through an affidavit submitted by the CMSCL Managing Director about the status of equipment procurement, including items already delivered to CIMS and machines for which tendering, demonstrations, bid evaluation or re-tendering were still pending.
