Mumbai : The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has pledged to release 50% of pending payments, amounting to ₹120 crore, within two weeks to medicine and consumable suppliers. This assurance led over 150 suppliers under the All Food and Drugs Licence Holder Foundation (AFDLHF) to call off their planned protest and resume essential medicine supplies to Mumbai’s civic hospitals.
Payment Schedule and Review
The BMC committed to clearing the remaining dues by February 15, 2025.
- Breakdown of Pending Dues:
- ₹20 crore owed by major hospitals.
- ₹5 crore pending under vigilance compliance.
- ₹35 crore related to the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY).
Review Meeting
In a meeting chaired by the Additional Municipal Commissioner (AMC-WS) and Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Health), the BMC emphasized the urgency of processing payments:
- Hospital Deans and Account Officers were directed to expedite bill clearances, with half of the bills to be processed within two weeks.
- Officials were instructed to ensure such delays do not recur.
Stakeholder Reactions
- Abhay Pandye, AFDLHF President:
- Welcomed the BMC’s commitment, expressing relief after months of financial strain.
- Highlighted the challenges suppliers faced, including taking loans to stay operational.
- BMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Health) Sanjay Kurhade:
- Reaffirmed the civic body’s priority for uninterrupted patient care and pledged stricter financial protocols to prevent future delays.
Impact on Civic Healthcare
The resumption of medicine supplies is expected to stabilize operations at civic hospitals, which had faced potential disruptions due to the halted deliveries.
Challenges and Future Measures
While suppliers are relieved by the BMC’s assurance, they emphasized the need for systemic reforms:
- Implementation of stricter financial protocols.
- Timely processing of bills to avoid repeated delays.
The resolution underscores the importance of financial diligence in maintaining uninterrupted healthcare services and public confidence in civic institutions.
