Accusations Against Lok Nayak Hospital’s Medical Director and Staff
Allegations of Tender Manipulation
New Delhi: The medical director of Lok Nayak Hospital, along with four other doctors, faces allegations of manipulating a government tender related to the hiring of nursing orderlies. The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has received a complaint claiming that the category of nursing orderlies in a tender posted on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal was intentionally altered from unskilled to semi-skilled. This tender aimed to recruit 103 nursing orderlies for the hospital.
Role of Nursing Orderlies in Healthcare
In Delhi government hospitals, nursing orderlies play a vital role as support staff. They assist nurses and doctors with essential patient care tasks, including hygiene, patient transportation, preparation for procedures, and supply management. These professionals are crucial for daily ward operations, handling everything from patient admissions and discharges to feeding and bed-making.
Investigation and Document Request
Following the complaint, the ACB has sought certified copies of all documents related to the tender, including those linked to the nursing orderlies’ work contract agreement. The implicated doctors consist of the Medical Director, the Chairman of the Tender Committee, the DCA, another doctor, and the Purchase Officer, as reported by The Daily.
GeM Portal and Government Procurement
Government tenders for staffing and services are typically issued on the GeM portal, which serves as a national public procurement platform. This digital marketplace allows government bodies, including ministries and PSUs, to purchase common goods and services directly from registered sellers, promoting transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in public procurement.
Internal Review at Lok Nayak Hospital
Sources indicate that Lok Nayak Hospital convened an internal meeting on January 7 to review the circumstances surrounding the alleged change in the nursing orderlies’ category within the tender. This alteration reportedly resulted in the failure of the recruitment process and a waste of time and resources.
Response from the Medical Director
In a statement to The Indian Express, the Medical Director refuted the allegations, asserting, “It’s false. No such tender happened.”
Related Concerns
Also read- Delhi: Lok Nayak Hospital faces shortage of respiratory drugs amid pollution surge.
Further, the Delhi Health Minister has confirmed that there is no shortage of medicines at government hospitals.