Jamshedpur: The MGM Hospital is grappling with a severe shortage of medicines. Taking a strict stance over incomplete diagnostic facilities, the hospital’s Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Jujhar Majhi, reviewed six key departments on Tuesday and reprimanded officials found negligent.
The crisis of medicine shortage has become so severe that patients are being forced to purchase medicines worth thousands of rupees daily from private pharmacies. During the review, it emerged that tenders for over 800 medicines had been opened nearly two months ago, yet these medicines have not reached patients.
Dr. Majhi conducted a surprise inspection of the store and pharmacy departments and sought explanations for the delay. Unsatisfied with the responses, he decided to order a special audit of the medicine stock on Wednesday.
He said efforts would be made to identify where the bottleneck lies. “Ensuring that patients receive 100 per cent of medicines from the hospital is both our duty and responsibility,” he stated.
Central Pathology Unit Delayed by Four Months
Questions were also raised over the slow progress of the proposed Central Pathology Department. The unit was scheduled to be operational by the last week of November last year, but even halfway through February, the work remains incomplete.
Due to the delay, poor patients are being compelled to get expensive tests done at private laboratories. Dr. Majhi said he would hold an urgent meeting with Principal Dr. Sanjay Kumar and Superintendent Dr. Balram Jha to expedite the process and make the department functional at the earliest.
Warning to Birth Certificate Department
Irregularities were also found in the Birth Certificate Department during the review. Local residents had complained that they were being made to visit the office repeatedly to obtain certificates.
The Deputy Superintendent instructed the concerned staff to resolve public grievances promptly and eliminate unnecessary delays.
Accountability to Be Fixed Soon
Dr. Majhi said accountability would be fixed at every level to improve the hospital’s image. He warned that if the availability of medicines is not ensured despite completion of the tender process, strict action will be taken against the responsible officials.
