Kolkata, Sept. 24 -- The state Health Department has directed the lodging of FIRs and fixing of responsibility after medical equipment was found missing from 64 health centres across 12 districts. The equipment, procured to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure during the Covid pandemic, has allegedly been stolen or gone missing, prompting the Association of Health Service Doctors (AHSD) to protest against the move.

The equipment was procured in 2021-22 using funds under the 15th Finance Commission and National Health Mission projects. Of the 64 affected health centres, 50 are sub-health centres, 13 are block primary health centres (BPHCs) and one is a primary health centre. Batteries were reported missing from most of the facilities. Howrah emerged as the worst-affected district, with alleged theft or disappearance reported from 25 health centres. Of these, 18 are located in Sankrail block and seven in Shyampur-II block.

The department has directed chief medical officers of health (CMOHs) in the concerned districts to lodge FIRs and investigate the circumstances in which the equipment went missing. Officials responsible for the custody and maintenance of the equipment have also been asked to be identified.

Sources said the National Health Mission had warned district magistrates and CMOHs in 2024 about the need to properly maintain and safeguard the equipment.

The latest findings have raised questions over how costly equipment purchased with public funds could disappear from government facilities despite the earlier warning. The department has warned of legal action if negligence is established.

An official said medical officers had lodged police complaints in most cases. However, where no complaint was filed, the possibility of negligence could not be ruled out.

Utpal Bandyopadhyay, general secretary of AHSD, West Bengal, urged Health Minister Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee to order an independent probe. He said the association opposed blanket criminal proceedings against medical officers without establishing individual responsibility.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.