Mumbai: Maharashtra Medical Purchase Authority has been established to ensure transparency in the purchase of medicines and medical equipment for government and semi-government health institutions in the state. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde gave directions to ensure that there is no shortage of medicines in hospitals.
The first meeting of the Maharashtra Medical Purchase Authority was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister at Sahyadri Guest House. The meeting was attended by Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan, Health Minister Dr. Tanaji Sawant, Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department Nitin Kareer, and Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department Milind Mhaiskar.
The decision to establish the authority for the purchase of medicines and medical equipment required for public health and medical education departments has been taken. Eight senior positions required for the authority were approved in the meeting. The officers of the Indian Administrative Service will be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the authority. The decision to appoint the officers of the Health Department as the Chief Executive Officer was taken in the meeting.
The establishment of this authority is revolutionary and its purpose is commendable. Through this, hospitals and health institutions will have access to medicines and equipment on time. The process of the authority should be transparent, said Chief Minister Shinde.
The work of the authority should start soon. Its credibility should increase. If the process is transparent, even private hospitals can purchase medicines through this authority, said the Chief Minister.
During the meeting, the program of the authority, the purchase of 2,700 different medicines and literature, and the appointment of staff through the contract method were discussed. The meeting was attended by Health Secretary Navin Sona, Medical Education Secretary Ashwini Joshi, and Health Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar.
