State action after Nanded hospital deaths: Local authorities empowered to use 100% fund from dist planning panel to buy medicines
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Faced with criticism over the lack of availability of medicines in Nanded’s government medical college in the wake of deaths of 41 patients, including newborns, the Maharashtra government on Thursday extended powers to the local authority to use 100% funds from district planning development committee (DPDC) reserved for buying medicines.
A delay in implementing the recently passed Medical Goods Procurement Authority Act and the resultant change in procurement rules are to blame for the medicine shortage across government hospitals in the state. The government decision comes even as the government and hospital administration continue to deny there was shortage of medicine, and that it was the cause of death of patients in Nanded hospital between October 1 and 2.
The current limit for medicine procurement by the Dean of Government Medical College and Hospitals (GMCH) is capped at Rs 10 lakh. As a result of the decision, they will now have the option to utilise the DPDC (district planning and development committee) fund, designated for district development, providing deans with increased flexibility to acquire additional medicines during shortages from Haffkine or the newly established medicine procurement cell. This funding allows deans to procure medicines locally. In 2022, when districts faced similar drug shortages, the previous government had issued a similar circular to expand the medicine procurement budget at the district level.
In March this year, Maharashtra enacted the Medical Goods Procurement Authority Act with the aim to establish an authority for single-point procurement and supply of certain medicines, medical goods, medical consumables, devices, equipment and more for public hospitals and medical colleges. The authority was expected to do away with alleged delays in procurement of medicines by state-run Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd. So far, all state government departments providing medical services have had to purchase medicines, medical equipment and other related items from Haffkine.
Deaths of over 41 patients at Nanded’s Shankararao Chavan government medical college however exposed the delay in getting the authority rolling. The authority’s executive committee on October 3, in a meeting, gave the go ahead for use of 100% funds from DPDC for medicines.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde held a video-conference with all district collectors to review the condition of government hospitals wherein all collectors were directed to pay routine visits to government hospitals. “The state government is preparing short and long term plans to strengthen the state’s health system. Money will not be an issue for this,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar on Thursday visited Governor Ramesh Bains along with the Congress delegation. The delegation demanded an inquiry committee under the retired justice. NCP’s Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on a visit to Nanded, slammed the state government. She said if the ruling party leaders can visit Delhi seeking guardian ministership, why could they not come to Nanded to meet families of the deceased. “This government has murdered common people,” she slammed.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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