The government has asked the Director of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences D. Prasada Rao to submit a report within a week about the complaints regarding the choice of stents used in heart surgeries.
Medical Education Minister P. Sudharshan Reddy who chaired the Executive Board meeting of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences on Friday, told media persons that a decision was taken to allow the patients purchase their choice of stent if they did not prefer the stent used in the institute.
Technical committee
The Minister said that a technical committee selected the FDA approved drug eluding stents and the companies, which quoted least amounts were selected to supply the stents. Though the Director had no role in the selection of stents, Mr. Reddy said that a report was sought as the controversy could mar the reputation of the hospital.
Vigilance report
The government also decided to forward the vigilance report on lapses in the construction of NIMS University campus in Bibinagar to enable the Director to recover the money after due inquiry. The vigilance report also recommended action against the supervisory officials.
Mr. J. Satyanarayana, Special Chief Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare, said the vigilance report pointed to technical flaws in the road construction and other procedural flaws in VAT calculation leading to total loss of about Rs.1 crore.
Work suspended
The work on Rs.83 crore NIMS campus at Bibinagar was suspended at present due to paucity of funds, he added.
Mr. Reddy said that a grant of Rs.5 crore would be released immediately for purchase of essential equipment in the hospital.
Two more units
A decision was also taken to set up two more cardiology units, with 50 beds each, in the NIMS in addition to the two existing units with bed strength of 195.
A decision was taken not to allow employees to conduct union activities on the NIMS premises as it would be adverse to patient care.
