Hospitals face scrutiny over violations in drug procurement

RAWALPINDI: The Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department has sought explanations from the medical superintendents of three major government hospitals in Rawalpindi over alleged failures to follow the annual procurement calendar and maintain financial discipline in the purchase of medicines.

Notices have been issued to the heads of Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them on charges of misconduct, inefficiency and negligence.

According to the details cited by the department, the hospitals did not implement the notified procurement calendar despite clear instructions having been issued. The department said the pattern of local medicine purchases at the three facilities was found to be against policy and financial rules.

The figures mentioned in the notices showed local purchases of medicines at 40 per cent in Holy Family Hospital, 57 per cent in Benazir Bhutto Hospital and 39 per cent in Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital.

Department seeks response within five days

The officials concerned have been directed to submit their explanations within five days.

The department has linked the action to what it described as violations of the procurement system in the three hospitals. It said these breaches had also contributed to a situation in which the hospitals currently owe millions of rupees to vendors for medicines already supplied.

The move places the management of the three public sector hospitals under scrutiny over compliance with procurement procedures and financial regulations governing medicine purchases.

The notices specifically concern the implementation of the annual procurement calendar and the extent of local purchasing, which the department said exceeded the policy framework in the cases identified.

Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital are among the major government healthcare facilities in Rawalpindi, and the department's action focuses on their medicine procurement practices as outlined in the notices.

No further details were provided in the report about the individual explanations of the hospital administrations, but the department has formally required each medical superintendent to respond within the stipulated period.