State government failed to properly utilise NHM funds: Bandi Sanjay

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay said that public trust in government hospitals is eroding as several State-run hospitals are grappling with shortage of basic syringes, essential medicines and anti-rabies vaccines.

He alleged that the State government has failed to properly utilise a huge sum of funds released under the National Health Mission by the Central government.

He was speaking to reporters in Jammikunta of Karimnagar district after handing over medical equipment worth ₹1 crore to the government Community Health Centre in the town on Monday.

The equipment included an ECG machine, ultrasound scanning machine and diathermy machine among other medical devices provided by NMDC under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

Mr. Sanjay said, “With the support of NMDC, we have purchased and supplied advanced medical equipment worth ₹4 crore to government hospitals in Vemulawada, Jammikunta, Huzurabad and Husnabad.”

“I will provide an X-ray machine from MPLADS funds soon,” he said, underscoring proper utilisation of the new medical equipment to provide quality health care services to patients.

The poor and middle class people rely on government hospitals, he said, calling upon doctors and medical staff to treat patients with utmost care and compassion.

He noted that the Centre is allocating a huge sum of funds to government hospitals under the NHM to improve public healthcare delivery. “Unfortunately, the State government is not using these funds properly,” Mr. Sanjay said.

On the collapse of a check dam at Gumpula village in Peddapalli district four days ago, he said, “Check dams are being built not for farmers but for commissions. Like the BRS government, the current Congress dispensation is paying bills to big contractors. As a result of substandard works, check dams are collapsing, citing similar instances in Rajanna Sircilla and Karimnagar districts. The Congress government should conduct a thorough inquiry into these incidents and take stern action against those responsible for collapse of check dams.”

He said proposals are being prepared for construction of a sports stadium and modernisation of the railway station in Jammikunta.

Later, Mr. Sanjay visited the government hospitals in Huzurabad and Husnabad, where he inaugurated medical equipment worth ₹1 crore each in the two hospitals.