Auditor general uncovers widespread irregularities in medicine procurement across Baitadi local levels

Dhangadhi: Serious irregularities have been uncovered in the procurement of medicines by local levels in Baitadi district, with multiple municipalities and rural municipalities bypassing legal procedures and compromising public health.

According to the Office of the Auditor General, at least 10 local levels in the district directly purchased medicines without open competition, split budgets to avoid scrutiny, and procured medicines without verified production dates, batch numbers, or Nepal Quality Marks.

In the last fiscal year, Dilasaini Rural Municipality alone directly purchased medicines worth Rs 1.824 million from various suppliers by dividing the budget. The Auditor General also questioned the quality and cost estimates of warm bags worth Rs 400,000 procured for maternity centers. Similarly, medicines worth Rs 1.961 million were bought directly from seven different suppliers without following deadlines, which the report warns could adversely affect public health.

In total, local levels in Baitadi directly purchased medicines worth over Rs 25 million in fiscal year 2080/81. The report further reveals that Shivnath Rural Municipality spent Rs 2,782,403 on medicines, but 37,077 packets were found expired. Pancheshwor Rural Municipality procured medicines worth Rs 3.3 million without manufacturing dates, batch numbers, or expiry dates, while Sigas Rural Municipality purchased medicines worth Rs 3.4 million without conducting quality tests.

The report also highlights that Purchaudi Municipality spent Rs 3.2 million on medicines in multiple transactions by mixing purchases, resulting in higher transportation costs and repeated procurements without specified expiry dates. Patan Municipality was found to have purchased medicines worth Rs 3,259,342 in direct violation of the Public Procurement Act, with the medicines lacking expiry details.

Likewise, Dasharathchand Municipality directly purchased medicines worth Rs 2,193,397 without following procurement rules, while Melauli Municipality was accused of committing irregularities worth Rs 20 million, including misuse of health sector employee remuneration.

Local residents have also voiced concerns. Dev Bahadur Chand of Surnaya Rural Municipality alleged that despite direct procurement of medicines worth Rs 3.5 million, standard medicines as per government criteria are not available in health institutions, claiming collusion between local authorities and suppliers.

No Monitoring Authority
The irregularities have been compounded by the absence of a monitoring mechanism. Bipin Lekhak, Information Officer at the Health Office Baitadi, admitted that while the office supplies vaccines and family planning products, it has no authority to monitor medicine procurement or contractual health staff at the local level.

“We do not have the authority to check the quality of medicines. Health sector management falls under local jurisdiction. All levels and sectors must work together to ensure citizens get quality health services,” Lekhak stated.