Telangana suppliers halt surgicals over ₹245 crore dues
HYDERABAD: Suppliers have refused to supply surgical items and medical equipment to government hospitals unless pending bills are cleared, citing dues of ₹245 crore.
The Telangana Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TGMIDC) supplies medicines, surgicals and equipment to all government hospitals in the state. However, suppliers said dues for surgical items and equipment have accumulated over 13 months, making it difficult to continue supplies.
Bills pending for 13 months burden suppliers severely
The suppliers’ association has submitted representations to the health minister and senior officials, stating that the delay has placed a heavy financial burden on them.
Around 80 per cent of medicines are supplied through TGMIDC, while the remaining 20 per cent are procured by hospitals under a decentralised budget. Suppliers catering to both TGMIDC and individual hospitals said they have not received payments for medical equipment.
They have already written to hospitals, including Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital and MGM Hospital in Warangal, stating they cannot supply surgicals and equipment under the 20 per cent procurement category.
Hospitals warned of supply disruption without immediate payments
Suppliers said payments are contractually required within 45 days of supply. However, delays extending over several months have made it difficult to sustain operations.
The state has been expanding the list of medicines as part of reforms to strengthen government hospitals. The government allocates up to ₹500 crore annually to TGMIDC for procurement of 520 types of medicines.
The corporation is also responsible for purchasing costly equipment such as MRI and CT scan machines for TIMS super-speciality hospitals. Items such as ECG machines, defibrillators, gauze, syringes, bandages, cotton and IV sets are procured through tenders.
Officials said inadequate budget allocation in proportion to procurement could affect patient care in government hospitals.
