• Bids for the robotic surgical system tender at Liaquat University Hospital open today.
• LUH chief Abbasi emphasizes the system’s necessity due to its benefits in automating surgeries.
• Procurement decision criticized by PMA and PIMA, highlighting priorities on basic healthcare needs.
Despite opposition from medical bodies, the Sindh government is proceeding with plans to acquire a robotic surgical system for Liaquat University Hospital (LUH), Hyderabad.
Today, bids are being opened for the tender aimed at procuring the expensive system for LUH, one of three tertiary care hospitals in Sindh slated to receive five robotic surgical systems under last year’s approval of billions of rupees. The procurement process was halted by former caretaker health minister Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz, citing the need for funds to address more urgent health priorities.
The decision caused controversy within the government as caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar believed the caretaker setup lacked authority to overturn previous decisions.
After the Pakistan Peoples Party took office post-Feb 8 elections, it resumed the procurement process initiated during its previous term.
LUH Medical Superintendent Dr. Aijaz Abbasi defended the retendering, describing the robotic system as a crucial hospital requirement approved by the provincial cabinet. He highlighted the benefits of robotic surgeries in reducing infection risks, operation duration, and recovery times, noting the hospital’s trained robotic surgeon.
Responding to critics who view the advanced system purchase as a misallocation of resources amid nationwide healthcare deficiencies, Dr. Abbasi pointed out widespread issues beyond Sindh.
Regarding concerns about the tender potentially favoring a specific company, Dr. Abbasi deferred, citing his lack of technical expertise.
Last year, LUH’s former MS sought health department approval to divert funds allocated for two robotic systems toward essential medical equipment. Critics, including Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), condemned the decision, stressing the need for prioritizing basic healthcare over costly technologies.
Dr. Abdullah Muttaqi from the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the affordability challenges posed by the costly robotic system amid shortages of basic medical supplies.
He also pointed to past irregularities in robotic system purchases, alleging inflated costs compared to market prices.
