LAHORE, April 28: Most of the electro-medical equipment in the public-sector hospitals in Punjab is non-functional, says an Anti-Corruption Establishment report.

It says the patients have to suffer a lot owing to the problem that is forcing them to visit private hospitals and clinics for better facilities. It asks the health department to look into the matter and take appropriate action in this regard.

The sub-standard machinery, according to the report, is often procured without observing legal formalities which causes a heavy financial loss to the government exchequer.

The report further points out that medicines are usually procured at high rates in violation of the procedures like purchase of non-PVMS medicines and without advertisment in the press. Sub-standard and spurious medicines are being sold at medical stores in connivance with drug inspectors and health department officials, it says.

The practice of issuance of bogus medical certificates, clearing the unfit for service, bogus admissions to paramedical classes and misuse of private rooms and issuance of medico-legal against merit are rampant, it points out.

The report says most of the medical officers usually do not discharge their duties sincerely in rural health facilities and there is no check on quacks. Doctors and other staff are not punctual and there is also exploitation by the clerk mafia.

Bogus re-imbursement claims are made with the help of doctors, dispensers and clerks and there is no official check on the practice.

Specialists indulging in private practice do not take interest in their official duty and often refer their patients of public hospitals to their clinics. The ACE suggests that limited private practice should be allowed to the doctors working in the public-sector hospitals irrespective of their grades and positions.

The report says the doctors are reluctant to serve in rural areas and, thus, encouraging paramedical staff to pose themselves as doctors and make a fast buck. There has been overstaffing in urban hospitals and bed occupancy is far beyond the authorised number, it says, adding that vacant posts of specialists, doctors and paramedical staff is adding to the woes of the general public visiting the public hospitals.

ACE chief Brig Aslam Ghuman (retired) told Dawn that he had sent the observations to the head of the health department for necessary action. He said operational autonomy should be given to the ACE so that it could proceed well against the corrupt elements attaining high office.

He said it should also be given exclusive jurisdiction in the scheduled offences.