A shocking financial scandal has surfaced at Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) in Quetta, where irregularities exceeding Rs 4 billion have been uncovered. According to a recent Auditor General’s report, these financial mismanagements occurred between 2017 and 2022, raising serious concerns about corruption, lack of accountability, and misuse of public funds.
Billions in Unaccounted Funds and Missing Records
The audit report reveals that expense records worth Rs 382.26 million were not presented for review. This missing documentation raises serious transparency issues, making it difficult to track where and how public money was spent. The lack of financial accountability suggests potential embezzlement or deliberate cover-ups.
Postgraduate Scholarships: A Rs 1.16 Billion Controversy
One of the biggest financial irregularities reported is related to postgraduate scholarships, where Rs 1.16 billion was allegedly mismanaged. The report does not provide clarity on how these funds were allocated, raising doubts about whether these scholarships were genuinely awarded or if the money was siphoned off through fake entries.
Exorbitant Pricing for Essential Medical Supplies
The mismanagement extended to the procurement of medical supplies, where dog bite vaccines were purchased at highly inflated prices. The report highlights that instead of obtaining these essential vaccines at market-competitive rates, authorities approved unjustified expenses, resulting in a significant financial burden on public funds.
Similarly, irregularities were found in the purchase of medicines and medical equipment, including:
Over Rs 9.5 million spent on local procurement of medicines without proper documentation.
Over Rs 7.3 million paid for the purchase of X-ray films, with no transparency in pricing and tendering.
A Pattern of Corruption and Financial Mismanagement
The financial discrepancies at Bolan Medical Complex indicate a broader pattern of corruption within the system. The misuse of medical funds directly impacts the quality of healthcare services, depriving patients of necessary treatments, medicines, and diagnostic facilities. The alleged overpricing and misallocation of funds suggest a network of corruption that needs urgent intervention.
Authorities Urged to Take Immediate Action
Following the exposure of these financial irregularities, calls for strict action against those responsible have intensified. Experts and public representatives emphasize the need for a thorough investigation to:
Identify and prosecute those involved in financial mismanagement.
Recover misused public funds.
Ensure transparency in future medical expenditures.
Public Outrage and Demand for Justice
The revelation of massive financial corruption at one of Quetta’s leading medical institutions has sparked public outrage. Healthcare activists and citizens are demanding strict reforms to prevent such cases in the future.
A Call for Financial Transparency
The Rs 4 billion financial irregularity scandal at Bolan Medical Complex is a stark reminder of the urgent need for financial accountability in Pakistan’s healthcare sector. With billions of rupees unaccounted for, authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure that public money is used for the welfare of the people, rather than lost to corruption.
