Over Rs 1 Cr wasted on dental chairs, X-Ray machines
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2018: By purchasing dental chairs and dental X-Ray machines at prices much higher than the market rates, the Medical and Health Services Directorate has wasted over Rs 1,12,92,512 from the State exchequer.

Sources informed that 16 dental chairs and 16 dental X-Ray machines were purchased with NEC funding in 2014-15 when there was Congress Government in the State.

Even though the market rate of a dental chair is around Rs 3.50 lakh, the department bought dental chairs at Rs 8,17,650 per piece.

The total amount for purchasing the 16 dental chairs was Rs 1,30,82,400 .

Over Rs 1 Cr wasted on dental chairs, X-Ray machines

By purchasing the dental chairs at the Rs 4,67,650 higher than the market price, a total amount of Rs 74,82,400 was wasted, said the sources.

Dental X-Ray machine costs just around Rs 35,000 but 16 dental X-Ray machines were purchased at the inflated price of Rs 2,73,132 per piece.

By purchasing the dental X-Ray machines at the price higher than the market rate by Rs 2,38,132, another Rs 38,10,112 was wasted.

Another dental chair (high-end) whose market rate was around Rs 5 lakh was purchased at the inflated price of Rs 13,86,450 in 2015-16 .

The sources asked if there is any reason why action should not be taken up against the officials responsible for wasting a huge amount from the State exchequer by purchasing dental chairs and X-Ray machines at inflated prices.

Even though the dental chairs purchased at the inflated prices were allotted to CHCs and two hospitals, they are lying idle due to lack of requisite manpower and infrastructure.

On the other hand, there are dental surgeons at 23 CHCs and two Urban Health Centres but there are neither dental chairs nor dental X-Ray machines, said the sources.

There are 86 dental surgeons at the Department of Medical and Health Services.

The number of dental surgeons is quite less if compared with the total population of the State.

Even though there are more than 400 unemployed dental surgeons, the Government is yet to take up any initiative to increase the number of posts for dental surgeons, the sources said.

They also highlighted the need for opening a separate dental directorate in the State as done in other States.

Although dental surgeon should be appointed as the State nodal officer for dentistry, one MBBS was appointed to the post.

As such, dental health service is in total disarray in the State.

The Health Directorate did not consult dentists or dental surgeons when purchasing dental equipment, the sources added.