Expedite process for procuring medical machinery and equipment, directs Health Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil has directed the officials of the health department to expedite the process for procuring medical machinery and equipment in the health institutions across the state to ensure that people get quality healthcare facilities at their doorsteps. He stated that in order to speed up the purchase of machinery and equipment, technical specifications related to purchase should be kept on the analogy of AIIMS and PGI. This would ensure the quality in purchase and save both time and money during the procurement process, he added.

The Minister, who was chairing a Special High Power Purchase Committee meeting here today, said that the government was dedicated to provide timely and top-quality healthcare to benefit the people and assured that the government would provide state-of-the-art medical equipment to improve the medical response and services.

Approval was given for floating of tender for procuring of Baby Care Kit for the mothers’ of newborn babies, each to cost approximately Rs. 1500. Around one lakh institutional deliveries were expected in a year and the state government has made a budget provision of Rs. 10 crore for the kits.

The kit would include 20 items, including eight new items like a digital thermometer, nail cutter, cap, soft bristle hair brush, bib, washcloth for baby and sanitary napkins for mother. The remaining items include one piece slip-on outfit for the baby, baby vest (2 pieces), baby mittens and booties, baby massage oil, baby towel, baby cloth nappies, hand sanitizer, mosquito net, mink blanket, rattle toy, muslin/flannel square (2 pieces), toothbrush, paste, bathing soap and vaseline for mother.

Later the Health Minister also chaired the third board meeting of Himachal Pradesh Medical Services Corporation (HPMSCL) and gave approval to various demands and requirements of the corporation including approval for beginning the process of procuring machinery for various institutions, testing vehicles, furniture for hospitals etc.

Director of the HPMSCL including Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi, Special Secretary Health Dr. Ashwani K. Sharma, Director Health Services Dr Gopal Beri and Director Medical Education & Research Dr. Rakesh Sharma, and Mission Director NHM Priyanka Verma and Director IPR Rajiv Kumar were present at the meeting.