Srinagar, June 8: Among the reasons behind mismanagement and lack of facilities at GB Pant Children’s Hospital is the improper utilization of Hospital Development Fund (HDF), making doctors to beg for essential items during emergency.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that around Rs 15 lakh are still unspent in hospital’s bank account out of Rs 34 lakh generated since January 2011.
“This fund was meant to make minor repairs or for purchase of minor equipment/ furniture or life saving medicines in case of emergency and non-availability of such drugs,” the sources said.
However, unfortunately the funds haven’t been utilized for the hospital development.
“This fund has either remained untouched or has been diverted for salaries of employees recruited allegedly in contravention of norms by a former medical superintendent and deputy medical superintendent,” the sources said. They said around Rs 8 lakh have been paid as salaries out of the HDF since January 2011.
According to sources the former medical superintendent in connivance with the deputy medical superintendent of the hospital diverted the HDF, in violation of norms, to recruit over 20 persons and posted them at ‘lucrative’ positions where they allegedly fleece the attendants.
The non-utilization and the diversion of HDF to salary of staffers has affected the maintenance of the hospital. This has hit the medicare, sanitation and renovation of hospital.
“The hospital officials have misused their power and recruited employees for these posts against a handy sum ranging between Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh,” sources said.
According to insiders these employees don’t have any proper designation and it was the ‘choice’ of MS to place them.
“The total amount paid for the salaries of the HDF employees is around Rs 55,000 per month at a rate of Rs 2100 and Rs 2500 per employee,” they said.
The Hospital Development Fund has been converted into Hospital Employment Fund which is a matter of grave concern and needs immediate attention of the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, insiders said.
Despite repeated attempts, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Muneer Masoodi, couldn’t be contacted.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST