SHILLONG: Mystery surrounds as to who benefitted from the purchase of infertility medicines for male (Cap Zy 10 Forte) procured under NRHM from 2010-11 to 2011- 12 and who were the beneficiaries of the medicines to cure infertility.
While Garo Hills topped the list of required persons, the names of the beneficiaries are yet to be revealed.
Earlier, an official level report had unearthed irregularities in the distribution of capsules to cure infertility, while the RTI findings now further revealed several missing links.
In the reply to the RTI queries submitted by Agnes Kharshiing, while in 2010-11, the quantity of capsules to cure male-infertility ordered and received was 5,000, there was a whopping over 20 lakh capsules ( Rs 20,07,500) ordered in 2011-12.
The amount of money incurred by the Government for purchase of over Rs 20 lakh capsules is over Rs 7 crore ( Rs 7,12,66,250) though the requirement was only over 17 lakh capsules (17,07,500).
Ironically, the entire population of Meghalaya was 23 lakh in 2001 whereas the medicines purchased only for males was over 20 lakh ( total 23,18,822) which shows alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines.
When the reporters on Tuesday brought the matter before the Health Minister Al Hek, he said that he would check with the department about the matter highlighted in the RTI findings as he was unaware of the facts.
The district wise requirements of capsules shown was East Khasi Hills (2 lakh), West Khasi Hills (3,48,000) Ri Bhoi(7500), Jaintia Hills (2,000) West Garo Hills (3 lakh), East Garo Hills (4 lakh) and South Garo Hills (3,50,000). Tura Civil Hospital had sought 1 lakh capsules.
While the demand for the capsules was more from Garo Hills, the supplier of the capsules, Meghalaya Drugs Distributor was also from Tura, West Garo Hills.
The RTI findings also mentioned that while senior Government official DP Wahlang was the Mission Director from 2010 till 2013, other functionaries were Dr AS Kynjing, Dr AC Hazarika, Dr (Mrs) CB Sangma, Dr. AK Das and Dr (Mrs) MK Marak.
As per records, current Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh was holding the health portfolio during the period. Earlier, it was reported that out of the total capsules worth Rs 7.21 crore which was purchased to cure male infertility, Rs 21 lakh was wasted as the medicines expired. This was part of the medicines worth over Rs 4 crore expired during the same period.
Moreover, the purchase of capsules Zy 10 Forte to cure male infertility was not as per NRHM norms. Only essential life saving and nutritional medicines can be procured under NRHM.
