Performance Audit of Indian System of Medicines and Homeopathy in Tamil Nadu (1999-2004)
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Abstract
The Government of Tamil Nadu took initiatives to encourage Indian Systems of Medicine with the objective of popularising them and to bring out their benefits. However, the Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy Department did not maintain any statistics to prove their effectiveness in treatment of diseases. The vacancies in the posts of Assistant Medical Officers resulted in shortfall in providing services. Against 9604 in-patients admitted in Arignar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicines, Chennai, during 1999-2004, 4465 (46 per cent) patients either abandoned the treatment or got discharged against medical advice. Four Research Units established in the above hospital for cancer and AIDS, diabetes, infertility and fracture did not carry out any research activities due to lack of modern machineries/ equipments and staff. Grants from Government of India for procurement of equipments for Drug Testing Laboratory was utilised only partially. Main audit findings are summarised below:
- Out of Rs 60 lakh released by Government of India as grant for procurement of equipments for Drug Testing Laboratory Rs 27.88 lakh were not utilised.
- The statistical data available with the Department only indicated the number of visits by patients and no data was available to prove the effectiveness of the Indian Systems of Medicines in treating diseases.
- Out of 9604 patients admitted in the in-patient ward in Arignar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicines, Chennai, during 1999-2004, 4465 patients either abandoned the treatment or got discharged against medical advice.
- The attendance of Assistant Medical Officers was less than 15 days in a month in 56 per cent and 68 per cent of the months in Thiruvannamalai and Nagapattinam Districts respectively during the five years from 1999 to 2003.
- The four Research Units established in Arignar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicines, Chennai, did not carry out any research activity due to lack of modern equipments and staff.
- A Regional Pharmacy (at Thirumayam, Pudukottai District) was defunct from April 2002 but Rs 11.59 lakh was spent towards staff of the defunct pharmacy.