After a delay of four months, SKIMS gets CTG machines
Srinagar: After a delay of more than four months, the much needed Cardiotocography (CTG) machines have been finally installed at SKIMS maternity care hospital, the procurement process of which was halted due to the technical queries that were raised by the procurement committee in November this year.
Medical Superintendent, SKIMS Dr Farooq Jan told ‘Kashmir Vision’ that the machines have been installed at its maternity care hospital two days ago.
“Yes, the machines are finally here and were installed two days ago, I don’t know if the machines have been made operational, but they are here,” he said.
Officials said that the SKIMS finance department had raised certain queries regarding the technical evaluation of the machines and the companies shortlisted were told to demonstrate the working of the machines live in front of the committee overlooking the procurement.
“That took much of the time and after the shortlisted companies demonstrated the working one among it was finalized and the company was told to install the machines,” the official said.
Notably, ‘Kashmir Vision’ has been following the procurement process extensively and carried a series of stories regarding the ill-effects that the absence of the CTG machine was having on the patient care, especially maternity care.
Earlier in August this year, the SKIMS had invited tenders from the companies for the procurement of two CTG machines at its maternity care. However, the process took more than the time period that was given.
In July, the issue of non-availability of the CTG machine at SKIMS was reported, which was followed by the invitation of tenders from the companies by the administration. Further, another follow-up story was done in November, and it was told that the companies have been asked to demonstrate the working after the queries were raised by the committee overlooking the process.
It was also reported that while the premier healthcare institution was lacking the CTG machines, the only maternity care hospital of the valley Lalla Ded, was functioning with 4 CTG machines functional, while as, it is having an equal number of machines as a backup plan, raising question over the absence of even a single machine at SKIMS. While the institution has excelled in other specialities, the less focus given to the maternity care has been pulling it down time and again.
Irfan Tramboo
