A single signature was all that was required to ensure that patients of Cama & Albless Hospital continued to receive essentials like antibiotics, IV fluids, syringes, and scheduled drugs. Instead, what Cama's Administrative Officer (AO) gave was yet another sign of apathy in government-run hospitals. Thanks to the AO's failure to sign off on bills pending since 2013, licensed drug suppliers abruptly ended the flow of medical supplies to the south s Mumbai hospital. Following an inspection, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) has decided to transfer the errant officer. Cama owes the medical suppliers Rs 6 crore.

State owes big time
However, it is not the only hospital that owes the suppliers. The Maharashtra government owes R95 crore to 100 manufacturers under the All India Food and Drug License Holders Foundation for supplies provided to all 17 medical colleges across the state. Of these, JJ hospital owes the highest amount — Rs 20 crore. After much pleading, the state government has finally allocated a fund of R100 crore to the nearly bankrupt suppliers.