So, effectively the services of the hospitals have been handicapped for the last one year. A still longer ordeal is in sight. The denial of services is rooted in an overcentralised procurement policy. The Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD), the authority for procuring and distributing radiological films, has been caught on a wrong footing. The lack of contingency planning on its part reflects utter neglect of responsibility for the patients. The office kept to the cluttered procedures like automatons showing scant regard for the plight of patients seeking emergency treatment. They sat on a tender for six months as the lowest bidder, due to unknown reasons, as has been euphemistically phrased, backed out. They have hunkered down to the second lowest bidder who will take four months to supply the X-ray films. It is a case of poor inventory building topped off by a culpable acceptance of a fait accompli -- all because of turning a deaf ear to the dictates of public health interest.

The hospitals have reportedly been asked to buy films from the local market. Who cares for the high price and dubious quality of the radiological material?

The question is: why didn't the hospitals authorities take up the matter with the health directorate in good time. Where do the directorate or the ministry come in here?

We want a scooping investigation into the whole affair with the responsibility for lapses fixed and action instituted against those found guilty.