Private suppliers mull stopping supplies to JMCH

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, March 10: Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) owes around Rs 1.5 crore to private suppliers of medicines, reagents, X-ray films and other pathological items and it is on the basis of these supplies that the JMCH has so far been able to carry out its services to the common people. This disclosure came at a time when the district is reeling under an expanding threat from the H1N1 epidemic, more commonly known as Swine Flu, which has so far claimed two lives, the latest being a State PWD employee of Grade III category on Monday.

Notably, government apathy towards the Jorhat Medical College Hospital has contributed towards a declining service, especially when there is need for creation of isolation wards and other health care amenities.  The revenue derived from the user generated fund that comes through the deposit of Rs 5 at the time of admission and checkups is mostly utilized for procuring diesel to run the generators, payment of contractual employees and other maintence, thus depriving the suppliers like M/s Jyoti Pharmaceuticals, M/s MB (Mukul Barman) Traders of Guwahati, Rudranee Enterprises, Photo Chem, BD and Swaraj Medicos of Jorhat who have altogether a collective investment of more than Rs 1.5 crore. M/s Rudranee Enterprise alone has an investment of Rs 40 lakh while Photo Chem has invested Rs 17 lakh.

Talking to The Sentinel, Proprietor of Rudranee Enterprise, Jayanta Sarkar said, “Our firm basically deals in reagents needed in the Microbiology department and the blood bank. Apart from reagents we also supply blood collecting tubes to the CCL (Central Clinical Laboratory) and by a way of supplies our investment has doubled our origil limit with an outstanding due of Rs 40 lakh. So far we got only Rs 2.13 lakh in the month of February. If this continues, we will no longer be able to facilitate supplies. I cannot pay from my pocket. So many times I have requested the Superintendent of the JMCH to release us at least Rs 10 lakh as part payment, thus ebling us to rotate the money and supplies. The Superintendent cannot do anything, it is the government which is not providing adequate money for the proper functioning of JMCH.”

ba Kr Duwara, owner of Photo Chem said, “I have a total investment of Rs 17 lakh pertaining to X-Ray films. But till date I have not got enough money back from the JMCH. I feel pain for the common and the poor people who cannot afford high cost of treatment and because of that I am still continuing with the supplies. But there is a limit to everything. The Assam Government must sincerely think in this regard.”

Meanwhile, the non-availability of funds to the JMCH was refuted by the present Joint Director of Health Services, Jorhat, Dr Mubidur Rahman who said, “We have sufficient funds available with the District Health Society and if required by the JMCH we will release adequate funds. While there are reports of shortage of essential supplies for the isolation wards in the case of H1NI virus, let me reassure that yesterday we provided around 5,000 triple layer masks, 60 N-95 masks and 60 Persol Protection Equipment which comprises of full protective gear. Additiolly, we have arranged for more such supplies from the Central Drug Warehouse in Guwahati. We have been trained in many ways to cope out with any outbreak and we are ready for the challenge. The people must not panic and remain conscious.”