Government hospitals face stent, drug supply crisis
HYDERABAD: Shortage of several medicines and surgical equipment at major government hospitals is worsening with each passing day. Patients are facing difficulties after suppliers stopped deliveries nearly a month ago.
About 80 per cent of medicines to government hospitals are supplied by the Telangana Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Hospitals must procure the remaining 20 per cent locally through tenders to meet specific needs.
Suppliers said they halted supplies citing pending dues of nearly two years. Around 70 suppliers operate in Hyderabad alone. They estimate that bills worth about ₹60 crore are pending in the city, while dues across government hospitals in the state could reach ₹100 crore.
Stent shortage hits cardiac procedures at Gandhi Hospital
Doctors at Gandhi Hospital perform stent procedures on at least 100 cardiac patients every month. However, stent supplies have remained suspended for over a month. The limited stock available is also running out. Supplies of catheter drugs and heart valves have also stopped.
At Osmania Hospital, transplant surgeries are frequently conducted. Shortage of essential medicines is forcing postponement of organ transplant procedures. Recently, doctors reportedly pooled money to procure sutures for a critical surgery after stocks ran out.
A large number of trauma surgeries are carried out daily. Supplies of trauma implants and spine implants have also remained suspended for more than a month.
Diagnostic tests affected at Niloufer Hospital
Niloufer Hospital lacks reagents required for haemoglobin tests. Earlier, hospitals used funds available under the Aarogyasri scheme when Directorate of Medical Education funds for local procurement were delayed. However, these funds have not been released for the past year.
At Niloufer Hospital, Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital and ENT Hospital, several doctors are reportedly advising patients to purchase medicines and surgical items from outside.
