SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Medicine Suppliers Association (MMSA) has echoed the allegations levelled by the North East Drugs Suppliers Association (NEDSA) on corrupt practices and favouritism by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in the state.
MMSA claimed that the total purchase of medicines by the Director of Health Services (MI) is way beyond its yearly budget allocated by the government and no prior approvals are taken from the government for the purchase.
MMSA also claimed that the files of purchase and payments are neither managed by the Finance and Accounts Officers of the department nor the Budget section.
The association stated that the directors, past and present, of the department remain oblivious to the scam as they are not well-versed with the system. The MMHS pointed fingers at the Joint Director, Health Services, who, they claimed, is the de facto Director and has been controlling the show since many years.
MMSA also claimed that intra venous (IV) fluid was purchased at a higher cost since due diligence was not followed in the tender process. It further claimed that the Joint Director had checked the tender quotations on his own.
MMSA also questioned the separate tender process for procurement of IV fluid and drugs, saying that both could have been done through a single tender notice. The association also raised objection to the physical tendering process and said that e-tendering was convenient, cheaper and more transparent.
The MMSA also stated that some of its members had submitted quotations and the rates had been approved by the Department but they received no order in the last few years.
The MMSA appealed to the government to consider their case and correct the malpractices in the Health Directorate.
The association also appealed to Health Minister AL Hek to scrap both the tenders and issue new tender notice to provide fair competition to drug suppliers from the state.
