The Institute of Kidney Disease and Research Centre (IKDRC) on the Civil Hospital campus in Ahmedabad has come under scrutiny over the procurement of medical consumables, with the Gujarat Health Department deciding to reopen an earlier inquiry following complaints to the Chief Minister’s Office.
The previous probe had drawn criticism for allegedly lacking neutrality. In a parallel development, a three-member team from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is learnt to have carried out a surprise visit to the hospital and begun an audit of its financial and administrative records. Sources said the team—comprising one administrative officer and two assistant administrative officers—has been stationed at the hospital for the past 10 days.
Employees removed from the Gujarat Dialysis Programme in connection with the case have reportedly approached Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s office, alleging a biased inquiry. They submitted documents claiming irregularities involving dealers and distributors of consumables and sought a fresh, impartial investigation.
Confirming that a new inquiry has been initiated, an Additional Director at the Directorate of Medical Education and Research said an earlier inquiry report had already been submitted by the designated officer. “The matter has now been assigned to me for a fresh probe. However, I have not yet received the relevant papers. Until then, it would be premature to comment,” the official said.
A project officer who was among those terminated alleged collusion between certain traders and a senior official who continued in service beyond retirement age. He claimed that despite prior approval from the Health Minister and the department secretary for the purchases, junior employees were made scapegoats to shield a senior officer. He also alleged that none of the dismissed employees were examined during the inquiry.
He further said that earlier inquiries by the hospital director and the Health Secretary had reportedly found the complaints baseless, yet junior staff were dismissed “under the guise of an inquiry.” According to him, demands for a fresh probe led to orders from Gandhinagar to reopen the case and initiate a CAG audit.
A senior Health Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said allegations of a multi-crore scam in consumables procurement under the Gujarat Dialysis Programme had surfaced earlier. “Before the inquiry was completed, four to five junior employees, including the project officer, were removed. Shockingly, the inquiry report did not record statements of those held responsible. The probe was later closed, prompting the employees to approach the Chief Minister’s Office,” the official said.