With no response to tenders floated twice for procurement of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) in the State, the Health and Family Welfare Department has now proposed to places bulk orders directly with big manufacturers. The proposal is awaiting the Finance Department’s approval.
On Monday, The Hindu had reported that government hospitals were running short of ARV and patients were finding it difficult to get the life-saving shots. Officials attributed the problem to poor response to tenders floated twice since last year. Although the department had asked hospital heads to procure the vaccine from the open market, it is in short supply in the open market too. This has left hospital administrators and district surgeons in a fix. Following the report, Health Minister Shivanand S. Patil and Health Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey directed officials to ensure patients are not put to hardship. Mr. Pandey told The Hindu that the department was working on seeking exemption under Section 4 (g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999. This provision is applicable in respect to specific procurements as may be notified by the government from time to time, according to the Act. “We have come up with the proposal as there was no response to tenders invited twice for procurement of ARV. We are awaiting the Finance Department’s approval,” he said.
The department has sought help from Tamil Nadu and Kerala to share ARVthe life-saving vaccine with Karnataka. “Although ARV shortage is a nationwide phenomenon, States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Rajasthan have a long-term three-year contract with companies supplying the vaccine. We have requested Tamil Nadu and Kerala to share their stocks (as we have a one-year contract) and they have agreed. WWhile Tamil Nadu is sending 5,000 vials, Kerala is sending 10,000,” he said.
Anti-snake venom in short supply
Hospitals are also reporting shortage of the anti-snake venom. Several district surgeons that The Hindu spoke to said the situation was similar to ARV shortage.
The department has asked hospital heads to procure the drug from the open market using the Arogya Raksha Samiti and National Free Drug Supply funds, as per their requirement. “We are managing now as the drug is available in the open market in some districts. As the dosage of the medicine depends on the toxicity of the snake bite, some patients may need upto 10 vials (50 ml). We get at least two patients daily and on an average need 600 vials per month,” said a district surgeon.
However, the Health Commissioner denied there was shortage of anti-snake venom. “We have not received complaints so far. If there is shortage, we will take measures to mitigate the problem,” he added.