Fund crunch threatens free diet at Bihar ayurvedic hospital

Fund crunch threatens to affect free the meals facility for patients at a prominent Ayurvedic hospital of Bihar in the capital.
Government Ayurvedic Hospital Patna received a paltry sum of Rs 6.60 lakh out of sanctioned amount of Rs 20 lakh for the financial year 2016-17 which is posing a great difficulty while making payments to suppliers of milk and other food items.
Patients are provided free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hospital.
"We have not been able to pay the milk supplier since July (with bills) accumulating to more than Rs 2 lakh and he has expressed inability to supply milk if payment is not made," senior officials of the hospital said requesting anonymity.

Arrears on other heads of diet has altogether accumulated to about Rs 12 lakh, the officials said.
Superintendent of the 100-bed Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital Deva Nand Prasad Singh admitted to difficulties of hands and fund.

"A request has been made to the Health Department for timely release of funds as well as filling up of 22 vacancies of different ranks for smooth running of the hospital," he told PTI.
The 22 vacancies included those of a senior resident doctor, emergency medical officer, yoga trainer and X-ray technician.
When contacted, Principal Secretary Health R K Mahajan said the department would look into the problem and provide the funds soon.

Funds have become a major problem in running facilities at the Ayurvedic hospital which has witnessed a tremendous jump in footfall in recent time.
About 500 patients are coming to the hospital daily, the Superintendent said.
The government has made provision for free meals and medicines to patients coming to the hospital.
As per diet chart, the hospital has a provision to give half-a-litre of cow milk, bread and apple in breakfast at a sanctioned amount of Rs 50 daily.
The menu of lunch and dinner comprises rice, atta, moong dal and vegetables among others worth Rs 50 each per patient per day.