Toll free numbers not functional in most health centres in AP, reveals Vigilance's surprise inspection

Amaravati: In most of the health centers in Andhra Pradesh, the troll-free number set up by the government for the public has not been set up in a way that is visible to the patients. This was revealed in surprise inspections conducted jointly by the sleuths of Vigilance and Enforcement Officers and Medical Department officials in primary health care centers, community health care centers, and government hospitals across the state.

As part of this, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) set up by the government to prevent corruption has thoroughly examined whether the toll-free number 14400 has been set up in a visible manner to the patients and whether the medicines are properly allotted to CHCs, PHCs, and government hospitals.

Inspections were conducted in a total of 42 hospitals in 26 districts across the state. It was found that in most of the health centers, the troll-free number set up by the government for the public has not been set up in a way that is visible to the patients. Also, it was found that the tables of details of medicines and medical tests available in hospitals are not available.

Further, it was found that the CCTV cameras have not been installed in Kothavalasa PHC of Vizianagaram district, ventilators and incubators were lying useless in Naravaripalle area in Tirupati district, 108 and Thallibidda express were not maintained in Bangurapalem CHC, operation theater was not functional in Podili CHC of Ongole district. It was found in the inspections that the lab equipment in hospitals was not working and there were no ambulances either in some of the hospitals. Teams found that in some hospitals, the drug stock registers are not updated, variations in stocks are observed, drug display boards are not maintained and expired drugs are being used.

State Director General and Principal Secretary of Vigilance and Enforcement Department, Dr. Shankha Brath Bagchi said strict action will be taken by the relevant departments against those who have neglected their duties, who have committed irregularities in the medicines assigned to the hospital, and who have neglected to provide timely treatment to the patients.