Surprise CAG audit at Ahmedabad kidney hospital, probe into consumables purchase reopened

The Institute of Kidney Disease and Research Centre (IKDRC) on the Civil Hospital campus in Ahmedabad is under a cloud over procurement of medical consumables.

As per information obtained, Gujarat Health Department has decided to reopen an earlier inquiry into the purchase of medical consumables after complaints reached the Chief Minister’s Office in Gandhinagar.

The earlier probe had come under criticism for allegedly lacking neutrality.

Meanwhile, a three-member team of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is believed to have conducted a surprise visit to the kidney hospital and initiated an audit of its financial and administrative records.

Sources said the audit team comprised an administrative officer and two assistant administrative officers, who have been stationed at the hospital for the past 10 days.

Employees who were removed from the Gujarat Dialysis Programme in connection with the case are understood to have approached Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s office, alleging that the inquiry was biased. They are said to have submitted documents claiming irregularities involving dealers and distributors in the consumables purchased and sought a fresh, impartial investigation.

Confirming that a new inquiry has been initiated, an Additional Director at the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, said that an earlier inquiry report has already been submitted by the designated officer.

“The matter has now been assigned to me for a fresh probe. However, I have not yet received the relevant papers. Until then, it would be premature to comment,” the director said.

A Project Officer of the Gujarat Dialysis Programme who was among those terminated, alleged that the issue stemmed from collusion between certain traders and a senior official who continued in service despite crossing the retirement age.

He claimed that although prior approval had been obtained from the Health Minister and the department secretary for the purchase of medical consumables, several junior employees were made scapegoats to protect a senior officer.

He further alleged that none of the employees who were removed were examined during the inquiry.

“Even earlier inquiries conducted by the hospital director and the Health Secretary had reportedly found the complaints to be baseless. Despite this, junior staff were dismissed under the guise of an inquiry,” he said, adding that the demand for a fresh probe led to orders from Gandhinagar to reopen the case and initiate a CAG audit.

A senior Health Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said allegations of a multi-crore scam in the purchase of medical consumables under the Gujarat Dialysis Programme had surfaced some time ago. “Before the inquiry was completed, four to five junior employees, including the project officer, were removed. Shockingly, the inquiry report did not record statements of those held responsible. The probe was subsequently closed, leading the employees to approach the Chief Minister’s Office,” the official said.