Unsafe syringes supplied to govt hospitals by ‘approved’ firm in Odisha !

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 13:

In a shocking revelation,  made by none other than the state Health minister, the  disposable syringes supplied to the government hospitals across Odisha have been found to be of a poor and unsafe quality.

The matter, brought to the attention of the state Health department by the director, Capital Hospital and chief district medical officers (CDMOs) of Bolangir and Koraput created quite a stir in the Odisha Assembly.Disposable Syringe

The state Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak admitted to the fact in the House while replying to a question by the BJD MLA from Khordha Rajendra Kumar Sahoo.

The minister said a Bhubaneswar-based firm Nobel Pharmacure Limited, which is on an EPM contract with the government of Odisha, supplies disposable syringes to all government hospitals in the state as per their requirements.

Nayak said Director, Capital Hospital and Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) of Balangir and Koraput have complained to the Health department about the poor quality of syringes supplied by the firm. He said, based on their allegations, his department had directed the Drugs Controller and Director EPM on January 25 to test the quality of the disposable syringes supplied by the concerned firm.

The minister said the director of Capital Hospital, superintendents of the three government medical colleges, director of Rourkela Hospital and CDMOs of all the districts were directed on February 21 to report if they find any problem with the quality of disposable syringes supplied to them.

The Health minister, however, admitted that after the February 21 circular, the CDMOs of Balangir and Koraput had found the quality of the syringes to have been of a poor quality and said the department again on March 24 issued directions to all concerned to go for a quality check of the syringes.

The minister Nayak said, based on the earlier complaints, the requisite amount towards supply of defective syringes has been deducted from the bill payable to Nobel Pharmacure Limited.

“On July 5, the concerned firm has been asked to replace all defective syringes- a whopping 2,34,700 units- failing which the firm will have to deposit Rs 13,88,933 with the department. The firm has been also told that it has to replace stocks if any complaint arises”, the minister informed the House.

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