Chandigarh: The sole chemist shop in Government Multi Speciality Hospital in Sector 16 (GMSH-16) was being leased out since its allotment in 1993 on the basis of UT's Leasing Out of Government Property Policy 2000. Consequently, no tendering was possible. The UT health secretary is examining this notification and plans to stop this long-term lease so that rent can be determined by market rates.
However, sources said the increase in rent will sitreally heavy on patients despite a nominal discount of 15%-30% on the medicines being deliberated by the UT health department.
Sources said the same policy is applicable to the bank leased out in the premises. However, only the amount of rent received in chemist shops is under comparison with other government institutions (where the footfall of patients and treatment is different from GMSH-16).
"We are earning about Rs 60 lakh per month from five medical shops in GMCH-32 and shops being tendered regularly. Somehow, in GMSH-16 only one shop is functioning and we are earning only about Rs 3 lakh per month," said the UT health secretary. He said, "Availability of medicines within the campus of each hospital, reducing the rush and healthy competition are the main objective. Revenue for the government is a positive by-product."
Sources said the hospitals undergo mandatory audits annually by the auditor general and no adverse report has been given with regard to the leasing out of the shops.
The increase in the monthly rental at the chemist shops is not in line with the mandate of the PM, which emphasises on cheap and affordable treatment. There are two Jan Aushadi shops in PGI and two are about to be functional in GMSH-16 and GMCH-32, while there are 8 AMRIT pharmacies in PGI and GMCH-32. About 64% of the chemists in the hospital premises are privately owned.
"The administration should come out with a fresh policy for cheap and affordable medicines," said a senior doctor in the GMSH-16. He said, "All shops within the hospital premises should be given to Jan Aushadis and AMRIT pharmacy while many private shops are already outside these hospitals."
If a fresh policy is framed by the UT administration, the lease out policy will be replaced by the e-tendering. "Also, to avoid monopoly, not more than one person, firm, company or family member will be eligible to operate more than one shop in any hospital campus," said Garg.
