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| COVID-19: Despite spending crores GMC Jammu fails to enhance testing capacity | | Bundle of blunders? | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 27: Despite Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu spending huge amounts to enhance the testing capacity of COVID-19 samples nothing much has been achieved till date, sources told Early Times.
They alleged that the GMC Jammu has “failed to enhance” the testing capacity and it has put the J&K administration in tight spot.
“Jammu division remains far behind Srinagar with regards to testing capacity. People continue to suffer and administration is facing huge public pressure. There is long pendency of reports, frequent breakdown of machines, lack of manpower and other issues,” sources said.
They said, “The officials are focusing on unaccounted purchases on the name of COVID-19 and are not providing equi-distribution of logistics and manpower to IIIM and CSIR, Jammu affecting the testing yield in Jammu division.”
“The only focus seems to be on purchasing unaccounted machinery, equipment and kits without matched enhancement of COVID-19 testing,” sources claimed.
They said, “The purchases done by the GMC Jammu are more than three medical colleges in Srinagar for the same cause in the recent times.”
According to the sources, “Last month—over and above 4 RT-PCR machine in the department—on 13-4-2020 officials demanded 2 BIORAD machines and 2 ABI RT-PCR machines on emergency basis beside various kits.”
A supplier wishing not be named told Early Times, “Inspite of ICMR advisory, that health institutions should only buy those kits which are compatible to existing RT-PCR machines, the GMC Jammu ordered Allpiex TM kits, worth crores through JKMSCL vide order dated 6/4/2020. These kits are not compatible with the four machines available in the institution.”
Another source said, “These kits remained unused for long time. To coverup the technical blunder the officials requested the authorities for compatible BIORAD machine. The machine was made available on emergency basis.”
He said, “On the other hand GMC Srinagar has placed sensible orders for the kits. These kits are compatible with the available RT- PCR machines. This clearly show the non-scientific and unprofessional approach of the people at the helm. It’s unfortunate that huge loss is being caused to the exchequer on the name of fighting COVID-19. Further, the officials ordered -80 and -20 degree refrigerator on emergency basis. But the said machines are still lying on the gates of GMC Jammu and have not been fixed.”
The sources said, “Two fire incidents have also put a question mark on the functioning of the COVID-19 testing laboratories at GMC Jammu. From May 6 onwards COVID testing remained suspended after two centrifuge machines, which are required at very basic step of RNA extraction, caught fire.”
They said, “Such errors have put a question mark on the efficiency of the people handling the entire process of testing the samples. Such blunders which are unacceptable are being committed.”
Sources said, “The newly appointed, Principal of GMC Jammu has sent a request for another RT-PCR Machine and other kits and logistics for the testing purpose.”
They said, “A few medicos are taking full advantage of the fact that the newly appointed GMC Principal is still understanding the system. It seems that by sending requisitions in bulk Samples being sent to other districts, including Srinagar, to make things work
“ After the medicos projected another fresh requirement an emergency meeting of the purchase committee was called on May 12, 2020, to finalize the purchase of emergency items which were asked for. The meeting was attended by HOD Radiotherapy and HOD CD& Chest and HOD PSM. Whereas, the matter pertains to the local purchase committee and none of them are the members of the same. They had no role.”
Sources said, “The purchase committee is framed by the virtue of administrative department, and by the order of Board of Governor, JKMSCL, no machinery or equipment can be purchased at any level by any health institution. Every year funds are allocated by the administrative department for such purchases to JKMSCL. It means that there is no classified financial fund head against which any such purchase can be possible under the ambit of local purchase committee.”
They said, “Such purchases have to be made by the JKMSCL after regular tendering process. The JKMSCL is the only competent authority to make any such purchase worth crores. The financial capacity of local purchase committee is limited to make any such recommendations.”
“The office although has applied for necessary NOC and chosen a company to supply machine on PPP Mode for which kits shall have to be mandatorily purchased by the department. The Principal GMC needs to come clear on the issue whether the approval of administrative department is required or not to make a purchase from a pre-selected company?”
According to sources crores have been spent in past two months on purchase of machinery and equipment and kits and reagents. “Recently vide letter dated 19-05-2020 an urgent sanction of grant in crores was sanctioned at GMC Jammu for purchase of additional consumables requisitioned on emergency basis,” they added.
Sources said, “In-spite of this, the GMC Jammu has failed to match the testing demand of the Jammu division. As a result authorities have been forced to take a decision that samples from Poonch, Doda, Reasi, Ramban, Kisthwar and GMC own samples will only be tested at GMC Jammu. Whereas IIIM Jammu lab shall test samples of Rajouri, Gandhinagar hospital and mobile vans. Command Hospital will test Udhampur samples only. SKIMS and SMHS Hospital in Srinagar have been directed to test the samples that will be collected from Jammu Railway station. The samples of Samba and Kathua districts shall be tested by Lal Path laboratory.”
Another source said, “When such a huge money is being spent at GMC Jammu then why is such a situation emerging, that samples have to be sent to Srinagar and other districts for testing. This will increase the reporting time due to delay in transport and will put additional burden on already overburdened labs in other districts. The administration is caught in a quandary. Right approach would have been to increase the testing capacity at mew medical colleges in Jammu region and put more focus on IIIM for enhancing the testing capacity. The authorities are claiming that present testing capacity of J&K UT will be enhanced from 8596 to 18500 with purchase of RNA automated extractor. But without professional approach of those involved in the process it appears to be a difficult task.” |
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