Vital drugs, CT scan machines to be procured for govt hospitals: Minister
Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil today issued orders for floating tenders for essential drugs and CT scan machines to ensure that quality healthcare facilities were provided to people closer to their homes.
e-tenders on rate contract basis
To ensure cost-efficiency and transparency in the procurement process, the Health Minister issued directions for floating e-tenders on the rate contract basis rather than opting for one-time purchase of machinery and equipment valued up to ~1 lakh
He chaired a high-powered committee meeting with officials of Himachal Pradesh Medical Services Corporation Ltd here to discuss steps to improve the state’s healthcare infrastructure through the procurement of quality medicines, medical consumables and equipment.
Shandil said that approval had been granted for floating tenders for the purchase of CT scan machines for zonal, civil and regional hospitals in the state. These machines would be procured in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. With this purchase, 34 health institutions throughout the state would soon be equipped with advanced diagnostic machines.
The minister emphasised the need to meet the growing demand for essential drugs and surgical items. He directed the officials concerned to float tenders for 888 essential medicines and drugs as well as 273 medical consumables and surgical items to address the demands received from various health institutions. “These tenders will be issued for the procurement of high-quality medical supplies to cater to the needs of hospitals and healthcare institutions across the state,” he added.
Shandil also directed the officials to complete formalities for the purchase of integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC) vans, aimed at enhancing HIV testing and counselling services. “These mobile units will provide testing and counselling services to the general public, high-risk groups, industrial areas and prisons. They will also improve public access to critical healthcare services,” he added.
To ensure cost-efficiency and transparency, directions were issued for floating e-tenders on the rate contract basis rather than opting for one-time purchase of machinery and equipment valued up to Rs 1 lakh. This change in approach would expedite the procurement process, especially for items costing less than Rs 11,000, thereby ensuring a fair and competitive selection of suppliers.
He said that this initiative underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the availability of high-quality medical supplies to common people at affordable rates through a transparent and efficient procurement process.
Secretary (Health) M Sudha Devi, Director Health Dr PC Daroch, Managing Director of the National Health Mission Priyanka Verma and other senior officials attended the meeting.
