Hek welcomes inquiry into alleged implant scam in NEIGRIHMS

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 31, 2019

SHILLONG: State health minister AL Hek has welcomed the Centre’s decision to institute an inquiry committee to probe into the alleged multi-crore implant scam in the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS). 

“I welcome the decision of the Centre to institute an inquiry committee to surface out all the ugly things (happening) in the hospital,” Hek told reporters here on Thursday. 

Earlier, Hek had maintained that instituting an inquiry into the matter does not arise since the 13^th Governing Council meeting has decided to remove the incumbent Director of NEIGRIHMS Dr DM Thappa. 

When reminded, the state health minister however changed his stand and said that the inquiry is the need of the hour. 

Following the expose which has raised eye brows in the state, Dr Thappa had recently requested the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into the nexus between Sanjo pharmacy and Cardiology department. 

The Director said the stents and pacemaker consignment from a private vendor (Sanjo pharmacy) to Cath lab, Cardiology Department headed by Dr Animesh Mishra was seized on April 30.

“Vigilance enquiry report after clarification was sent to CVO, MOHFW and Central Vigilance Commission on September 3. No action was taken against the culprit Dr A Mishra, HoD Cardiology. Rather Dr Thapa, director in 13th GC meeting…was asked to resign without reasons explained to him,” he said. 

Two letters from the employees in the cardiology department have also alleged corruption and malpractice in the department which they described as “illegal and injustice to human life”. 

In an order issued on October 29, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (North East Division) said that an inquiry committee has been instituted to investigate into the alleged suspicious activities of outside vendors in the department of cardiology in NEIGRIHMS. 

“As opined by Vigilance Section, MoHFW, the competent authority has decided to constitute a committee to look into the matter holistically,” the order of the ministry said. 

“The vigilance division of this ministry has received letter from NEIGRIHMS requesting to investigate the suspicious activities by unauthorized outsider/private vendors insite hospital moving around medical consumables and entering restricted areas without prior approval of medical superintendent,” it said.

Meanwhile as per the term of reference, the inquiry committee has been asked to examine the veracity of the allegations of suspicious activities by unauthorized outsider/private vendors inside NEIGRIHMS, Shillong moving around medical consumables and entering restricted areas without prior approval of medical superintendent. 

The committee was also asked to conduct preliminary enquiry in the matter and prepare enquiry report taking into account the comments of Vigilance Section and to advise further course of action in the matter to the ministry.