Significant financial irregularities in laboratory and imaging service contracts, coupled with serious concerns about staff recruitment processes, dominated discussions during last week's high-level meetings at AIIMS Bhopal. The institute's Governing Body and Institute Body convened in what officials described as a crucial session addressing the medical institution's operational challenges.
Financial Scrutiny and Contract Irregularities
The meetings brought sharp focus on alleged financial mismanagement in contracts awarded for laboratory and imaging services at the premier medical institute. Documents presented during the session revealed that these irregularities have attracted attention from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), India's primary anti-corruption watchdog.
According to meeting proceedings, correspondence sent to the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare regarding these matters was formally presented to members. This development comes despite the institute's recent claims of significant expansion under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, where the number of beneficiaries reportedly doubled compared to the previous year.
Staffing Crisis and Medicine Pricing Concerns
A startling internal report presented at the meeting highlighted severe staffing shortages that threaten the institute's operational efficiency. The data revealed that as of March 2024, only 99 Group B Non-Faculty posts had been filled from a total of 385 sanctioned positions. This represents a mere 25% of the required non-faculty staff, with 96 appointed on regular basis and only 3 joining through deputation.
Adding to the concerns, information presented indicated that while most patients were Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries, medicines purchased from Amrit Pharmacy were reportedly priced at five times higher than standard market rates. This pricing discrepancy has now come under official scrutiny, raising questions about financial management at the institute.
High-Level Participation and Investigation
The significant meeting saw participation from prominent figures including MPs Bharat Singh Kushwaha, Alok Sharma, and Vivek Tankha. The gathering also included senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, Dr. Suhas Joshi, Director of IIT Indore, and professors from MGM Medical College, Indore, and PGIMS, Rohtak, along with several domain experts.
Despite processing claims worth Rs 42.72 crore under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the institute now faces intense examination of its financial practices. When approached for comments regarding potential actions following the discussions, AIIMS Bhopal officials declined to disclose any specific measures that might be implemented.
The revelations come at a critical juncture for AIIMS Bhopal, which has been positioning itself as a growing healthcare provider in central India. The institute now faces the dual challenge of addressing financial governance issues while maintaining its service expansion trajectory under one of India's flagship healthcare schemes.
