Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan has ordered a departmental inquiry into major procurements made by the state health department over the past 10 years, following reports that expensive medical equipment worth crores of rupees was lying unused in hospitals and medical colleges.
The inquiry will examine purchases made using Plan funds, Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) funds, and medical equipment supplied by the Central government during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inquiry prompted by complaints and hospital inspection
In a statement, the minister said the decision was taken after the government received complaints regarding unused medical equipment.
He also referred to his recent visit to Wayanad Medical College, where equipment worth several crores of rupees, including mobile mortuaries, was found lying unused in a warehouse.
Muraleedharan said many of the machines had remained unused for such a long period that it was uncertain whether they could still be made operational.
Questions over procurement decisions
The minister said the inquiry would examine why expensive equipment was purchased at a time when the health department was facing financial constraints in recruiting staff and procuring medicines.
He also said allegations that certain purchases were made with the intention of earning commissions would be investigated.
However, Muraleedharan urged that the issue should not be politicised and stressed that the objective of the inquiry was to identify facts and ensure accountability.
Unused equipment cited across hospitals
Highlighting instances of alleged waste, the minister said an autoclave machine was lying exposed to the elements outside the Super Speciality Block of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
He also stated that two oxygen concentrators supplied during the Covid-19 pandemic were lying non-functional at the General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, even as the government continued to spend lakhs of rupees on oxygen procurement.
In another instance, he said a 100-kilowatt solar power plant installed at the District Model Hospital in Peroorkada had not been connected to the electricity grid.
Additionally, a generator purchased for the same hospital had reportedly remained unused for several years.
Probe to cover all districts
Muraleedharan said the departmental inquiry would identify similar cases across all 14 districts of Kerala.
After the departmental investigation is completed, the Finance Department will examine the financial aspects of the procurements.
If any irregularities are detected, the matter will be referred to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for further investigation and appropriate action.
Conclusion
The Kerala government’s decision to scrutinise a decade of health department procurements comes amid concerns over unused medical infrastructure and public spending. The inquiry aims to assess procurement practices, determine accountability and identify any financial irregularities before further action is taken.