Sambhajinagar GMCH irregularities case: Panel summons health activists, former board members
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Following allegations of irregularities, corruption and inflated procurement costs at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the state-level inquiry has moved to the next stage, with health activists and former members of the hospital’s board of visitors summoned to appear before the probe committee on Friday.
According to the news reports, the four-member panel, headed by Dr Sushil Deshmukh, dean of GMCH, Nanded, has directed the complainants to appear in person with relevant documents and submissions concerning complaints filed through the state government’s ‘Aaple Sarkar’ grievance portal.
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The development follows the panel’s visit to GMCH on October 3, during which its members collected documents, including bills, work orders and rate comparison charts, related to allegations of irregularities, corruption and inflated procurement costs.
However, the complainants’ statements were not officially recorded during the visit, prompting them to file fresh complaints through the ‘Aaple Sarkar’ portal to ensure that their allegations were formally considered during the inquiry.
The panel has been tasked with investigating several allegations, including the sanctioning of 27 small construction projects worth approximately Rs 50 crore, which were allegedly undertaken without proper authorisation. It will also examine claims of medicines and machinery being purchased at inflated prices and an expenditure of Rs 33 lakh recorded for an in-house event lasting just 30 minutes.
The allegations centre on a doctor, who holds the additional charge as dean of GMCH and is currently under scrutiny in connection with the matters being investigated.
Several insiders from the hospital have called for a rigorous investigation by the panel. “The reputation and image of GMCH have suffered like never before, eroding the faith of underprivileged patients. The inquiry must be fair and speedy, and panel members must not succumb to any pressure or allurements,” a senior doctor from GMCH said on the condition of anonymity, reports TOI.
The hearing is scheduled to take place at the regional office of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Dr Syeda Afroz Fatima, dean of GMCH, Jalna, is the member secretary of the panel. The other members are Dr Prakash Gattani, head of the pharmacology department at GMCH, Jalna, and JS Lakhade, administrative officer at DMER, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
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