Centre's Stubbornness Leads to Shortage of Surgical Equipment at Sree Chitra

Thiruvananthapuram: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, one of the leading medical institutions in Kerala, is facing a severe shortage of surgical equipment due to the central government's rigid policies. The shortage has led to concerns that surgeries might have to be postponed, as essential surgical tools are not available. Doctors have raised alarms about the lack of necessary instruments for the intervention radiology department's cath lab, which is crucial for various medical procedures. Despite the issue being brought to the attention of hospital management as early as November 2023, no action has been taken so far to address the shortage.
According to hospital sources, the central government has mandated that all purchases of surgical equipment be made through the Government e-Marketplace (GEM) portal, and only Indian-made products are to be considered. However, several critical items, including stents required for the interventional radiology department, are foreign-made. Under normal circumstances, the hospital’s procurement department would issue tenders, negotiate with suppliers, and finalize prices for a year’s supply of equipment. But since 2023, the hospital’s current Director, Sanjay Bihar, has reportedly refused to carry out these procedures.
As a result, contracts with the companies that previously supplied the necessary equipment have expired, and no renewal contracts have been made. This has left the hospital with no option but to rely on the restricted supply through GEM, which does not include all the required products.
In response to the ongoing situation, doctors have urgently written to the Director, requesting that immediate arrangements be made to resolve the issue. They have clearly informed him that without the required equipment, surgeries, as well as treatments involving imaging and interventional radiology, cannot proceed. Despite this, the hospital authorities have stated that purchases cannot be made outside the GEM portal due to concerns about potential audit issues.
Even with these challenges, the hospital management has reassured the public that they are taking steps to ensure there will be no disruptions in services. The authorities have promised that normal operations will continue as usual on Monday, but the situation remains tense as the shortage continues to affect critical medical services at the state’s premier hospital.