Nagpur: Medical education minister Hasan Mushrif on Friday informed the legislative council that medicine purchase by government medical colleges will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Mushrif made the statement while replying to a question by MLC Pravin Datke.
Datke also questioned the government about steps being taken to reduce cases of infant deaths in government medical colleges.
“Mainly, there are reasons for infant deaths. Firstly, medicines are not purchased on time. For this, we have now formed a new body which will procure medicines for all. Apart from this, deans have been empowered to purchase up to 40 per cent of their requirements,” Mushrif said.
The minister said the second reason is shortage of funds. This issue can be addressed through district planning committee funds in which there are various schemes for health, he said. “Through DPC, the district collector and dean have been empowered to use funds for medicine purchase,” Mushrif said.
Shortage of manpower is the third issue, Mushrif said. “The high court has taken up the issue suo motu, and instructions have been given for filling up the vacancies. The government will ensure that HC directives are followed,” he said.
Datke said that even though the dean is empowered to buy up to 40 per cent of the medicine requirements, the government should do a regular follow up. “We will ensure that monthly updates are taken from the deans,” Mushrif said.
