Unpaid Dues Of Rs 128 Crore Cause Medical Supply Shortages In Telangana Govt Hospitals

HYDERABAD — Prolonged payment delays by the state government have triggered severe shortages of essential surgical and diagnostic supplies in government hospitals across Telangana. The crisis has left healthcare facilities in Hyderabad, including the Government Hospital in Koti, struggling to provide basic medical consumables to patients.

According to the Twin Cities Hospital Suppliers Association, pending dues for surgical and diagnostic consumables under the Telangana Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TGMSIDC) have crossed Rs 128 crore. This massive backlog of unpaid bills has severely disrupted the medical supply chain.

While public hospitals continue to place regular indents for essential items such as IV sets, IV cannulas, gloves, and syringes, vendors are finding it increasingly difficult to fulfill these orders. Many suppliers have not received payments for several months, limiting their capacity to procure and deliver new stocks.

KB Ramachandra, president of the Twin Cities Suppliers Association, stated that if the payment delays continue, the shortages will become even more severe. He noted that items usually provided free of cost at government hospitals are now being purchased by patients at market rates.

Ramachandra pointed out the massive disparity between government procurement rates and retail prices. For instance, suppliers provide an IV set to the government for approximately Rs 5, whereas the retail market price ranges between Rs 120 and Rs 140. Similarly, an IV cannula supplied to government hospitals for Rs 6 can cost patients more than Rs 100 in the open market.

The shortage has already begun to impact patients directly. An attendant of a patient undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital in Koti reported being forced to buy a DC stent from a private medical store for Rs 600. The purchase not only increased their out-of-pocket expenses but also delayed the patient's treatment.

The Twin Cities Suppliers Association, which represents approximately 500 retailers and suppliers in Hyderabad, has submitted a representation to the health department seeking immediate action to clear the pending dues.