Why are Pune civic health facilities conducting surprise inspections?

Surprise inspections are being conducted to verify vaccine demand, stock availability, and storage conditions following a controversy over alleged vaccine shortages.

What was the issue at Late Jayabai Sutar Maternity Home in Pune?

Patients at the maternity home were reportedly asked to buy tetanus injections from private stores due to an alleged shortage, which was later found to be a coordination issue.

Did Pune have a vaccine shortage?

A PMC probe indicated no civic-level shortage; the issue at Sutar hospital was due to a lack of coordination in requisitioning vaccine doses.

Home / Health / Pune Civic Health Facilities Face Surprise Inspections

Pune Civic Health Facilities Face Surprise Inspections

20 Jan

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Summary

Civic health facilities in Pune to undergo surprise vaccine inspections.
Inspections follow controversy over alleged tetanus vaccine shortage.
Lack of coordination, not a shortage, caused the vaccine issue.

Pune Civic Health Facilities Face Surprise Inspections

Surprise inspections of civic health facilities are now underway in Pune, mandated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). This directive follows a recent controversy regarding the alleged non-availability of tetanus vaccines at a municipal maternity home in Kothrud.

Officials confirmed that zonal and ward medical officers are tasked with verifying vaccine demand, stock levels, and proper storage conditions. The directive was issued last week after reports surfaced that patients at the Late Jayabai Sutar Maternity Home were being directed to purchase tetanus injections from private pharmacies.

A probe by the PMC revealed that the situation arose not from a shortage of vaccines at the civic level, but due to a lack of coordination between the hospital and the chief immunisation office. This disconnect led to issues in requisitioning sufficient doses. Once senior authorities were alerted, free vaccination services were promptly restored for all patients.