Doctors want Governor to probe Tender Board decision

by E. Weerapperuma

Consultant doctors at the Base Hospital, Anuradhapura, have requested North Central Province Governor Jagath Balasuriya to investigate a Tender Board decision to purchase a 10-year-old model of a particular dialysis machine ignoring expert opinion. "We request you to consider this as a matter of urgency and intervene to stop this irregular tender procedure," a letter signed by 25 Consultant doctors said.

According to the letter, the NCP has the highest number of patients with kidney diseases in the country and the Dialysis Unit was set up to treat patients needing regular dialysis.

As there is only one machine in working condition doctors have pointed out that the current situation `endangers the lives of many Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) patients undergoing regular dialysis".

The letter added: "The Base Hospital in Anuradhapura treats more than 500 patients with chronic renal failure in addition to many patients with acute renal failure, using the only dialysis machine in working condition. Doctors have requested the Governor to make arrangements to purchase at least two new machines to the Dialysis Unit.

"Considering this, we requested to buy two new machines to this unit. The usual tender procedure has been carried out and the physician has recommended one particular brand out of the three bidders.

Unfortunately the Tender Board has offered the contract to a different supplier ignoring expert opinion.

On further inquiry we were informed that the Tender Board has taken their decision based on specifications and the cost factor," the letter added.

The Consultant in charge of the Unit has recommended a particular brand (B Braun) on the following reasons: 1) This is the commonest brand used throughout the country, 2) This machine has the latest technology with a user-friendly trouble-free system, 3) it has additional features not available in other brands.

In spite of repeated expressions of our dissatisfaction on this tender offer, it is strange that the tender board has persisted with this decision." The letter has also pointed out that the Consultant physician has not recommended the other two brands based on the following reasons though all have the same specifications.

1) Unreliable after sales service on our previous experience (two machines of this brand available at the General Hospital, Anuradhapura are outdated and not in a working condition for more than one year.

Even after many requests the agent of those machines did not turn up to repair them.

However this agent turned up very recently (after the tender advertisement) and repaired the machine but it worked only for a few days.

2) Though these equipment specifications are on par with the tender specifications, it is a ten-year-old model without any additional facilities.

3) This model is not user-friendly and as a result the operator needs to manipulate the machine frequently increasing the demand on the nursing staff.

It is learnt that the machine recommended by the Tender Board and planned to purchase by the NCP Health Director's office would cost the State Rs. 5.2 million.