Performance Audit of Indian System of Medicines and Homeopathy in Chhattisgarh (2000-2004)

Abstract

In Chhattisgarh, the Directorate of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) has the responsibility of providing medical treatment through the systems of Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy. Poor infrastructure, high establishment cost and negligible expenditure on medical facilities were observed in this performance audit covering the period 2000-2004. Financial and operational management of the Department were deficient. Thirteen to 58 per cent of funds allocated for purchase of medicines were not utilised. Pharmacy was not modernised and quality control of medicines was not ensured. Due to lack of infrastructural facilities, adequate health care facility was not being made available. Main audit findings are summarised below: 1. Thirty bedded hospital at Ambikapur was not functional even after 25 years of sanction. 2. Sixty one of the 63 buildings sanctioned in 2002 were incomplete till date. 3. One hundred and forty eight dispensaries in six districts were running without doctors, and an unfruitful expenditure of Rs. 4.73 crore was incurred on pay and allowances of para medical staff. 4. The cost of medicines, produced during the period 2000-04 ranged from a meagre 17 per cent to 54 per cent of the overall running cost of the pharmacy. 5. Pharmacy machinery worth Rs.80.21 lakh was either not received or not installed hampering strengthening and modernisation of the pharmacy. 6. Quality of teaching was adversely affected in Government Ayurvedic Medical College due to non-posting of eight professors, nine readers and 12 lecturers as required under the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) norms.