The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday ordered an investigation into non-functional MRI and CT scan machines in major provincial hospitals, as well as irregularities in medicine procurement.
The meeting, chaired by PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro, directed the provincial health secretary to make faulty machines operational and submit a report. He also ordered strict action against suppliers of unregistered or counterfeit medicines, along with sealing and prosecution of unlicensed medical stores.
Key Revelations & Orders:
- Several MRI and CT scan machines in Sukkur’s Ghulam Muhammad Mehar Medical College and Larkana hospitals remain out of service.
- The health secretary disclosed that some technicians deliberately tampered with machines to push patients toward private labs. Action has already been taken against some staff.
- The PAC expressed anger, noting patients suffer financial burdens when forced to seek tests at private facilities despite millions spent on hospital equipment.
- It was revealed that Rs 3 billion worth of medicines were purchased in 2022–23 without tender. PAC demanded lists of such purchases and hospitals involved.
- The health secretary defended the purchases, citing emergency allowances under PEPRA rules, and explained that 85% of medicines are centrally procured while 15% are handled locally.
Additionally, the PAC raised concerns about inefficiencies at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, particularly its poor cleanliness system, and ordered a third-party audit.
Chairman Khuhro stressed that faulty machines and unchecked irregularities were a “serious question mark” on performance, urging immediate corrective measures to relieve patients of unnecessary hardship.
