IN Sindh, a tiff within the caretaker government over the procurement of advanced medical equipment seems to have imperilled the upgradation plans of several major hospitals. According to a recent news report, caretaker Health Minister Saad Khalid Niaz has developed differences with interim Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar over the fate of a multibillion-rupee tender for the purchase of four robotic units meant for three major hospitals in the province. Dr Niaz has opposed the decision on the grounds that the cost to the public exchequer of surgeries being conducted with these robots does not seem justified given the present state of the province’s finances. However, the chief minister, who has made some personal inquiries to determine the utility of the machinery, remains unsatisfied with the health minister’s reasoning. Some observers have also pointed out that the decision to purchase the machines was taken by the elected PPP government, and the caretaker health minister should not interfere. That said, there are also concerns that some influential parties were involved in the purchase and there are reports they are pressuring Dr Niaz to change his mind.

It is commendable that both the chief minister and health minister are of one mind regarding the need to optimise the use of Sindh’s health budget, even if they differ strongly over the right way to do so. Dr Niaz has raised a very valid point regarding the burning of public funds on expensive surgeries when much cheaper alternatives are available, but he must still consider whether it is appropriate for him to make a decision on this matter. If there have been any misdoings in the process of purchasing the robots, they must definitely be looked into; but if it’s simply a question of whether or not they are needed, perhaps it is best to leave it to the judgement of a government elected by and answerable to the people.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2023