india

Updated: Aug 13, 2017 10:17 IST

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in June had pointed out gaping holes in the infrastructure of BRD hospital in Gorakhpur, where at least 30 children died allegedly due to disruption in oxygen supply since Thursday.

The CAG’s social sector performance report of the four government-run medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh had found several irregularities in procurement of crucial equipment in the past five financial years. It also found that the equipment was not being used in the absence of trained staff.

“Inadequacy of infrastructure available in medical colleges and their associated teaching hospitals are areas of serious concern in the state, which need to be addressed on priority,” the report said, while asking the state government to improve functioning.

The CAG said the four hospitals, including BRD, parked their funds in Lucknow’s Kasturba Gandhi Medical Unit (KGMU) in violation of rules, resulting in delay in realisation of funds.

The BRD hospital had parked Rs 27.38 crore.

“The parking of funds not only violated the financial rules but also deprived patients of adequate healthcare as essential equipment could not be procured on time…,” the report said.

Talking about the BRD hospital, the report said there was 27.21% shortage of clinical equipment and 56.33% of non-clinical equipment against the minimum requirement prescribed by the Medical Council of India, even through the hospital had adequate funds. The supply of oxygen — included in non-clinical equipment — was allegedly reduced after the hospital authorities failed to clear outstanding dues of Rs 70 lakh. “Large shortage of equipment not only had an adverse impact on quality of education imparted to students but also affected healthcare delivery to general public in these areas,” the audit report said.