Mizoram health department comes under CAG scanner

Aizawl, Apr 12 (UNI) The Mizoram Health department has come under Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India scanner following various lapses by the department.

According to the latest CAG report here, which blamed the department for misusing funds, allocated for rural areas, in urban areas such as the state civil hospital.

The report also brought out cases of injudicious investment and unproductive expenditure made by the department.

The CAG report said the Health department had established Community Health Centres (CHC), Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Sub-Centres (SCs) in excess of the prescribed norms.

While sub-centres were to be established for every 3,000 people, PHCs for every 20,000 people and CHCs for every 80,000-1,20,000 population, the department had established CHCs in excess of the prescribed norms to the tune of 100 per cent, PHCs 159 per cent and SCs 146 per cent, the CAG report mentioned.

However, there was a shortage of employees in those establishments. CHCs had a shortfall of 50 percent Medical Officers and 52 percent in para-medical staff. PHCs had a shortfall of 33 percent Medical Officers and 43 percent para-medical staff. SCs had a shortfall 23 percent health workers.

The CAG also criticised the department for not ensuring quality control of the drugs. The report said the supply orders did not contain clauses like a period before expiry, laboratory test reports and no penalty clauses were added for supply of sub-standard drugs.

The purchase of 20 mobile toilet vans and three mobile clinics, with the cost of Rs 1.26 crores and Rs 3.75 crore respectively, was also criticised by the CAG.

The report said six of the toilet vans had remained unutilised from the date of receipt while two were totally damaged and costly parts stolen.

UNI SNR JYN SY PM1351