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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Procurement first, infrastructure later

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertaken at rates two to...

Procurement first, infrastructure later

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertaken at rates two to ten times higher than prevailing market prices. Basic economics dictates that bulk government procurement ought to secure better rates than private buyers, not worse. During the Covid-19 pandemic, equipment and consumables were procured at five to ten times the market rate, with government audit reports formally flagging these irregularities. Yet accountability has remained elusive. The pattern is illustrated vividly in Kolhapur. The Dean of Rajarshi Shahu Government Medical College announced that a PET scan machine worth Rs 35 crore would soon be installed at Chhatrapati Pramilaraje (CPR) Government Hospital for cancer diagnosis. But a comparable machine is available in the market for around Rs 6.5 crore. A senior cancer surgeon at a major cancer hospital in western Maharashtra, where a similar machine was recently installed, remarked that the gap between what his hospital paid and what the government is reportedly paying was enough to make one ‘feel dizzy’. The label of a ‘turnkey project’ does not adequately explain a price differential of this magnitude. High Costs CPR Hospital recently had a state-of-the-art IVF centre approved at a sanctioned cost of Rs 7.20 crore. Senior fertility specialists across Maharashtra note that even a modern IVF centre with advanced reproductive technology equipment typically costs between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 3 crore. The state’s outlay is reportedly approaching Rs 15 crore. Equipment arrived in June 2025 and lay idle for months owing to indecision about the site. Similarly, digital X-ray machines approved for CPR Hospital and a government hospital in Nanded; available in the market for roughly Rs 1.5 crore; were reportedly procured at Rs 9.98 crore per unit. Doctors in CPR’s radiology department, apprehensive about being drawn into potential inquiries, reportedly resisted accepting the equipment. One departmental head was transferred amid disagreements over signing off on the proposal. What’s Wrong These cases point to a deeper structural failure: Maharashtra has perfected what might be called the ‘equipment first, infrastructure later’ model. In any public hospital, the administrative sequence ought to be: identify space, create infrastructure, sanction specialist posts, and only then procure equipment. Compounding the procurement paradox is a parallel policy decision. On 20 December 2025, the state government decided to introduce radiology diagnostic services through a Public-Private Partnership model (PPP). Following this, an order issued on 6 February 2026 authorised private operators to provide PET scan, MRI and CT scan services at six government medical college hospitals: in Pune, Kolhapur, Miraj, Sangli, Mumbai and Baramati. CPR already has a 126-slice CT scan machine and a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, with another CT scan proposed. If the PPP arrangement proceeds, the hospital could simultaneously run one PET scan machine, two MRI scanners and three CT scan machines. Medical experts warn this could lead to unnecessary diagnostic testing simply to keep machines occupied, thus exposing patients to excess radiation while government-owned equipment gathers dust. A similar pattern was seen during the pandemic, when the Medical Education Department spent hundreds of crores on RT-PCR machines, only to award swab-testing contracts to a private company. Many of those machines remain unused today.

Dhanteras: A Celebration of Wealth, Health, and Prosperity

True wealth lies in our health, our relationships, our peace of mind, our generosity, and the values that guide our lives.

As the gentle glow of countless diyas begins to light up homes and hearts, and the fragrance of marigolds fills the air, India readies itself to welcome Diwali-- the festival of light, love and new beginnings. But before the grand celebration of Diwali arrives, comes a day that holds immense spiritual and material significance -- Dhanteras, the day that marks the dawn of prosperity, purity and divine blessings.


Dhanteras, also known as Dhan Trayodashi, is a significant festival in Hindu culture, celebrated on the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. It is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, symbolising the start of light overcoming darkness, wealth overcoming poverty and good fortune entering our lives. This day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. This year it is celebrated on October 18th.


Significance of Dhanteras

Dhanteras is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil and the victory of light over darkness. It is believed that on this day, Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan, carrying a pot of nectar and Ayurvedic medicines. The festival is also associated with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, who is revered for her blessings of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.


Rituals and traditions

The rituals and traditions of Dhanteras are steeped in spiritual and cultural significance. Some of the common practices include:

  • Cleaning and decorating the home: Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with rangoli, diyas, and flowers to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari.

  • Buying new items: It is considered auspicious to buy new items, especially utensils, silver, or gold, on Dhanteras. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the family.

  • Worshipping Lord Dhanvantari: Devotees offer prayers and perform puja to seek Lord Dhanvantari's blessings for good health and well-being.

  • Lighting diyas: Diyas are lit to dispel darkness and bring light and prosperity into the home.


Another lesser-known ritual associated with Dhanteras is Yamadeepam – a symbolic offering to Lord Yama, the God of Death, for the protection of family members. A small lamp is placed outside the home facing south, with a prayer for longevity and peace.


Relevance in modern times

In today's fast-paced world, Dhanteras remains a significant festival that holds relevance for several reasons:

  • Celebrating tradition and culture: Dhanteras is an opportunity to connect with our cultural heritage and traditions. It is a time to reflect on the values and principles that have been passed down through generations.

  • Promoting family bonding: The festival brings families together, fostering a sense of unity and bonding. It is a time to strengthen relationships and create lasting memories.

  • Fostering a sense of gratitude: Dhanteras is a reminder to be grateful for the blessings we have received. It encourages us to appreciate the good things in life and express our gratitude to the divine.

  • Emphasising the importance of health and wellness: The worship of Lord Dhanvantari highlights the importance of health and wellness. It reminds us to take care of our physical and mental health and seek blessings for well-being.


While the markets may glitter with offers and discounts, the essence of Dhanteras calls us to pause and reflect -- to ask ourselves what true wealth means. It could be our health, our relationships, our peace of mind, the ability to give and share, and our values and principles that guide our lives. As we celebrate Dhanteras in the modern world, let us embrace the spirit of the festival and strive to cultivate a sense of gratitude, unity, and well-being.


In the modern context, Dhanteras encourages financial wisdom and mindful living. Buying gold or investing on this day is often seen as auspicious, but the deeper meaning lies in valuing what truly sustains us-- wisdom, compassion and well-being.


Dhanteras teaches us sustainability -- when we light diyas made of clay instead of electric lights, when we clean our surroundings as a symbol of inner purification and when we spend time with family instead of screens, we reconnect with timeless values that modern life often overlooks.


May the lamp of Dhanteras illuminate our paths with good health, joy and abundance. May our hearts shine brighter than gold and our homes overflow with love and laughter. As we step into Diwali, may every flame remind us that the greatest light of all-- is the one that glows within.


Happy Dhanteras to you!

 

(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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