Mumbai: Mumbai’s BMC-run hospitals are bracing for a major crisis as drug suppliers have threatened to suspend deliveries due to pending dues totalling Rs 120 crore.
This comes shortly after Krsnaa Diagnostics discontinued its pathology services under the Aapli Chikitsa scheme, citing similar issues with unpaid dues. The All Food and Drugs Licence Holder Foundation (AFDLHF), which represents over 150 suppliers providing medicines to civic-run hospitals, has announced plans to halt supplies from January 13 if their payments, pending since four months, are not cleared. This decision could severely disrupt healthcare services across Mumbai’s civic hospitals.
AFDLHF president Abhay Pandye highlighted the dire financial situation suppliers are facing. “Our members are on the brink of financial ruin,” he said.
Not A New Issue
The issue of delayed payments is not new. Earlier, BYL Nair Hospital experienced a similar crisis when vendors stopped delivering essential surgical materials, affecting key departments such as cardiology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, and CVT (cerebral venous thrombosis).
A vendor from the western suburbs expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “The payment delays have become unbearable. Supplying to BMC hospitals has turned into a constant struggle, with repeated reminders going unheard.”
In a formal letter to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, the body outlined the financial strain. “The outstanding dues have left our members under immense pressure. Despite repeated follow-ups, there has been no resolution. We are left with no alternative but to suspend supplies until payments are cleared,” the letter stated.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Kurhade, Deputy Commissioner of BMC’s health department, assured that efforts are underway to address the issue and resolve the crisis.