Health Department Issues Warning to Punjab Teaching Hospitals Over Procurement Calendar

In a significant development, the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department (SHC&MED) of Punjab has expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the Medical Superintendents (MSs) and heads of 12 government teaching hospitals. The issue at hand is the non-implementation of the annual procurement calendar for the year 2024-25, which was originally issued on December 24, 2021. This calendar is crucial for ensuring that government hospitals can complete their procurement processes efficiently, thereby guaranteeing an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines and medical equipment.

The SHC&MED has taken a firm stance by sending a letter of displeasure to the management of various hospitals, including Government Teaching Hospital Shahdara, Jinnah Burn Centre and Research Centre, Lady Aitchison Hospital Lahore, and several others. The letter emphasizes that all government teaching hospitals must ensure 100 percent compliance with the procurement calendar. Failure to do so will be considered a serious oversight, and the responsible parties will be held accountable.

In addition to the procurement issues, the SHC&MED has also requested urgent reports from the MSs of six teaching hospitals regarding the non-functionality of ventilators in their Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This is a pressing concern, as ventilators are critical for patient care, especially in emergencies. The hospitals have been given a strict deadline of 24 hours to activate all inoperative ventilators and submit their reports.

The situation highlights the importance of effective management and accountability in the healthcare sector. The establishment of a Biomedical Engineering (BME) portal by the SHC&MED aims to streamline the development and procurement processes in government hospitals. This online platform requires all hospitals to register their data daily, ensuring transparency and efficiency.

As the healthcare system continues to face challenges, it is imperative for all stakeholders to prioritize the well-being of patients. The timely implementation of procurement calendars and the functionality of medical equipment like ventilators are not just administrative tasks; they are vital components of patient care. The SHC&MED's actions serve as a reminder that accountability and diligence are essential in maintaining the quality of healthcare services in Punjab.