Bhopal: The CAG reports also highlights the need to increase expenditure on primary healthcare and make concerted efforts to reach set targets for public health funding as per National Health Policy.
Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services for the year ended 31 March 2022 for Madhya Pradesh offers an in-depth analysis of the state’s public health infrastructure, covering various aspects from human resources to financial management and healthcare services delivery.
On Human Resource Management
The report identifies significant shortages in human resources across various health institutions including District Hospitals (DHs), Community Health Centers (CHs), Primary Health Centers (PHCs), and AYUSH health care institutions.
The shortage of doctors ranged from 6per cent to 92per cent, nursing staff from 3per cent to 69per cent, and paramedical staff from 10per cent to 80per cent in different healthcare facilities. These shortages adversely affected service delivery, leading to compromised care in intensive and neonatal care units and non-functional trauma centers due to lack of sufficient staffing
On Health Care Services
The availability and quality of healthcare services were below expected norms. Outpatient Department (OPD) and Inpatient Department (IPD) services were not fully operational in many hospitals, with critical services often missing
For instance, emergency surgical operations could not be carried out in several centers due to lack of functional operating theaters.
Additionally, necessary support services like pathology and dietary requirements were inadequately managed, leading to further declines in service quality
On Equipment, Medicines
The audit highlighted considerable flaws in the procurement and installation of medical equipment. Many items remained uninstalled due to infrastructural inadequacies like lack of electricity or suitable space.
738 pieces of equipment ordered between 2017 and 2022 were not supplied, leading to further gaps in service delivery.
Furthermore, procurement processes often ignored central rate contracts, resulting in substantial financial wastage Medicines were either overpaid or expired due to mismanagement, and there was a significant inadequacy in stocking necessary drugs for various treatments, leading to critical shortages
On Financial Management Of Sector
The financial management within the health sector in Madhya Pradesh showcased inefficiencies and underutilization of funds.
The expenditure on health, as a percentage of the gross state domestic product, was consistently below the national target of 2.5per cent. There was also a high unspent balance under the National Health Mission, which suggested poor budget utilization
