Misappropriations in purchase of medicines by BMC hospitals will be thoroughly investigated: Uday Samant

Uday Samant. File Pic

Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant announced on Friday that there will be a high-level inquiry into the purchase of medicines in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hospitals, and a white paper on services provided by BMC hospitals to its patients will be released.

On the last day of monsoon, the issue of healthcare facilities in Mumbai was raised by Congress MLA Amin Patel, leading to a discussion for almost half an hour on Friday. Speaking about healthcare facilities in Mumbai, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ashish Shelar stated that since Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, patients from rural areas come to Mumbai in large numbers.

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"There are various hospitals in Mumbai, including municipal hospitals, hospitals run by the state government, private, charitable, and hospitals for central government workers, but there is absolutely no coordination between all these hospitals. Hence, the state government must come up with a white paper on the number of patients coming to Mumbai and whether there are adequate facilities to take care of them. Also, the expenditures incurred on all these healthcare facilities must be evaluated while coming out with the white paper," said Ashish Shelar.

The BJP MLA further stated that Mumbaikars do not get facilities equivalent to the taxes they pay every year. There is disparity at all levels. "Although the BMC has spent Rs 20,000 crore in 5 years, people haven't received facilities equivalent to this amount spent. Patients are asked to get the necessary medicines and various reports -- X-Ray, sonography, etc., done from outside. This proves that there is corruption that must be thoroughly investigated," Ashish Shelar added.

Meanwhile, MLA Manisha Choudhary also raised the issue of poor healthcare facilities in suburbs during this discussion.

In response to this, State Minister Uday Samant accepted the demand to come up with a white paper and also announced that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into the procurement of medicines in the BMC hospitals.