Empty but sealed strips of medicine at top CR hospital

MUMBAI: A procurement scam has come to light at Central Railway’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial hospital in Byculla after an official stumbled upon sealed but empty strips of medicine.
The budget for procuring medicines for CR-run hospitals is Rs 20 crore, but an estimated 50% of the budget is used for procuring medicines for the 366-bed hospital, the biggest in CR’s jurisdiction.
TOI has two of the sealed strips of Prazosan and Salinex. The strip of Prazosan, used in the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), did not have any tablet, while a strip of Salinex had three of the 10 pills.
A source said there have been many complaints of medicine shortage at the hospital. After the trade union brought the issue to the notice of Subodh Jain, general manager, CR, he visited the hospital to check stocks.
Thousands of patients go for treatment to the hospital, which has casualty wards and operation theatres, and offers treatment in nephrology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, ENT, orthopedic, skin, psychiatry, transfusion medicines, obstetrics and gynecology, besides undertaking bariatric surgery.
The source said, “There have been instances of railway employees being turned back due to lack of medicines. In many cases, patients have to fend for themselves.”
An online record of medicines procured is maintained but the source said, “Though the record may state that there is enough stock, the truth could be otherwise. There is no audit on whether the strips contain pills.”
V A Malegaonkar, chief public relations officer, CR, said, “We maintain proper records of all medicines procured but we will carry out a review.” Jain said a high-level probe had been ordered.