Payment delays trigger supply shortages in govt hospitals across Telangana

Hyderabad: Patients visiting govt hospitals across Telangana are increasingly being forced to purchase essential surgical and diagnostic items from private medical stores, as prolonged delays in clearing payments to suppliers have disrupted the supply chain. Medical suppliers claim that pending dues for surgical and diagnostic consumables under the Telangana Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TGMSIDC) alone have crossed Rs 128 crore, affecting the availability of critical items in public healthcare facilities.According to the Twin Cities Hospital Suppliers Association, hospitals continue to place indents for supplies such as IV sets, IV cannulas, gloves, syringes and other consumables. However, many vendors are struggling to fulfil these requirements due to mounting unpaid bills.“Many suppliers have been waiting for payments for months. While hospitals continue to raise demands for supplies, vendors are finding it increasingly difficult to procure and deliver materials without receiving their dues. If the situation continues, shortages will become more severe, and patients will be the worst affected, as items that are usually supplied free in govt hospitals are now being purchased by patients at market rates,” said KB Ramachandra, president of the Twin Cities Suppliers Association.He highlighted the huge difference between govt procurement prices and retail market prices. “For instance, we supply an IV set to the govt for around Rs 5, but the same product carries an MRP of Rs 120 to Rs 140 in retail stores. Similarly, an IV cannula supplied to hospitals for around Rs 6 may cost patients more than Rs 100 in the open market. When hospitals run short of stock, patients are forced to bear this additional burden,” said Ramachandra.The impact is already being felt by patients. An attendant of a patient undergoing treatment at Govt Hospital, Koti, said he was forced to purchase a DC stent from a private medical store. “We had to spend around Rs 600 for an item that is usually provided free of cost in govt hospitals. Apart from increasing our expenses, it also delayed the treatment process,” he said.Meanwhile, the supplier’s association, which represents around 500 retailers and suppliers in Hyderabad, has submitted a representation to the health department seeking immediate release of pending payments. Suppliers warned that despite repeated assurances in the past and similar concerns being raised earlier this month, the issue remains unresolved.“If the dues are not cleared soon, shortages of surgical and diagnostic supplies could worsen across govt hospitals, affecting routine procedures, emergency care and inpatient services. We urge the state govt to intervene urgently to restore uninterrupted availability of essential medical consumables and prevent additional financial burden on patients dependent on public healthcare facilities,” said Ramachandra.