Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 5: The Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration, has advised patients and their attendants not to purchase surgical consumables, sutures and other essential surgical items from the outside market for treatment at government health institutions.
The advisory follows an issue brought to the notice of the Lieutenant Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, during his visit to G.B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram. It was brought to his attention that, in some instances, patients requiring surgical treatment were being advised to procure surgical consumables, surgical sutures and other essential items from outside.
The Health Department clarified that regularly used surgical consumables, sutures and other essential surgical items required for patient care are available at health institutions under the Directorate of Health Services.
The Department has asked patients and attendants who are asked or advised to purchase such items from outside to immediately report the matter to the Director of Health Services, A&N Administration, along with relevant details, so that the matter can be examined and appropriate action taken.
Following the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, a circular has also been issued to all hospital authorities and treating doctors directing them not to advise or require patients or their attendants to purchase surgical consumables, sutures or any other items required for treatment from the outside market.
The Health Department has further directed hospital authorities and doctors to strictly follow the procedures and instructions laid down in the circular.
The Directorate of Health Services said it remains committed to ensuring the availability of essential medicines, surgical consumables and medical supplies to patients through the government healthcare system and preventing unnecessary financial hardship to patients.
The Department has also appealed to the public to report any such instances so that necessary corrective measures can be taken promptly.
Andaman Sheekha Correspondent adds: The issue of patients being asked to purchase surgical consumables and other medical items from outside has reportedly been raised by several islanders for a considerable period, with various organisations also highlighting the matter. However, there had been no clear public response from the Health Department on the issue until now. The latest advisory, issued following the Lieutenant Governor’s visit to G.B. Pant Hospital, has therefore raised fresh questions among the public. If the Health Department maintains that the required surgical consumables, sutures and other essential items are available in government health institutions, people are questioning why patients were allegedly being asked to purchase surgical materials costing thousands of rupees from outside for such a long period. The public is now also asking whether the authorities will conduct an inquiry to ascertain how and why such instances occurred, identify those responsible if any lapses are established, and ensure that patients are not asked to bear such expenses unnecessarily in future.
