SHILLONG: The state government wants the Centre to initiate a high level probe into the NEIGRIHMS imbroglio.
Health Minister A L Hek said on Tuesday he state government will write to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to institute an inquiry into the NEIGRIHMS row.
Hek said the probe will examine the role of both the Head of Cardiology Department and the Director of NEIGRIHMS as the patients are suffering due to the tussle between the two.
The preliminary report by the state government also mentioned about the need to have an independent probe by the Central experts.
The report said a high level inquiry should be constituted consisting of senior cardiology experts from institutes of repute outside the state under the guidance of an expert senior official from the Health Ministry as there are allegations and counter- allegations.
“It is difficult to ascertain whether procedures and treatment protocols were followed or not. It is critical to resolve procurement matters and what would be the immediate and long term purchase and procurement policy drawing from examples followed by medical institutions of repute like AIIMS, New Delhi and PGIMER, Chandigarh”, the report said.
Hek revealed that a few months ago, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had instructed the Director of NEIGRIHMS to take a long leave.
When asked about the demand to remove the Director Dr. D M Thappa, he informed that he along with the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had met Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda eight months ago to discuss the internal bickering in NEIGRIHMS.
”It was eight months ago that we met JP Nadda in Delhi. We discussed the same matter and we observed that after the Director took charge, disorder erupted in NEIGRIHMS”, Hek said.
Nadda gave a clear direction through the Secretary of the Union Health Ministry to instruct the Director to go on a along leave, Hek added.
Despite the direction by the Union Health Ministry to the Director, he still continued to hold the post.
Answering a query, Hek said Thappa continued to stay as “he got shelter from the SC/ST Commission.”
The preliminary report on NEIGRIHMS by Health Secretary Pravin Bakshi was submitted to Hek on Monday and more reports are awaited from the institute.
As per the report, in a meeting on May 9 attended by Additional Chief Secretary RV Suchiang, Thappa and Head of Cardiology Department Animesh Mishra, it was decided
that surgeries should start with immediate effect from May 9 as per the directions of the High Court on May 8.
Suchiang was informed that 3 surgeries were performed on the same day by 6 pm. Requirements were shared from Cardiology Department to Amrit Pharmacy.
The report said the tussle between Thappa and Mishra continued as they have failed to resolve the issue of procurement of stents, other surgical items, accessories both for the short term and long term.
As per the report, AMRIT pharmacy, HoD Cardiology and the Director of NEIGRIHMS have sent their individual reports which are evasive and inconclusive about their roles, duties and responsibilities and do not present any forseeable solution to the grim deadlock in NEIGRIHMS.
Patient’s death
Referring to the death of 55-year-old patient from Mawphlang, the report said the patient was admitted and posted for surgery on May 7 but the surgery was postponed and listed for surgery on May 9.
“But, by then the situation had deteriorated and a specific cost intensive equipment was required which had to be ordered from an agency outside the state and the patient and family was informed that it would take 2-3 days,” the report said.
It further said the patient belonged to a BPL category and he relatives expressed helplessness to buy from their own resources as the price of required equipment was in the range of Rs 20-25 lakh.
The NEIGRIHMS, Medical Superintendent, Dr Topno has been requested to file a report on the death occurring in the hospital and what had been the action taken and the follow up since the time she was admitted.
