CBI seek Centre’s approval to probe into NEIGRIHMS implant scam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 9, 2020

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought the approval of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for further investigation into the alleged multi-crore implant scam at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital in Shillong. 

“Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which was investigating the implant scam and assets created by Head of Department (HOD) Cardiology, Dr Animesh Mishra, based on the reports emanating from NEIGRIHMS Shillong, Meghalaya High court case for disruption of cath lab surgeries in May 2019 first week following the seizure of 32 lakh rupees stents, pacemakers and other surgical implants from Sanjo Pharmacy (a private pharmacy run by the wife of a technician in radiodiagnosis department-Shri. Joshua Kharbouli) and subsequent CBI scrutiny in cardiology, orthopaedics and radiology as a part of anti-corruption all India drive is seeking approval of Ministry of Health and Welfare, New Delhi,” former NEIGRIHMS Director, Dr DM Thappa said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

Dr Thappa also alleged that Dr Mishra has been paying visits to CBI office to close this case.

It may be mentioned here that the Centre had last year instituted an inquiry into the alleged multi-crore implant scam between the Cardiology department and the Sanjo pharmacy based on the complaint of Dr Thappa, who was recently removed as director of the institute. 

However, the findings of the inquiry on the matter is yet to be known till today.  

The former Director of NEIGRIHMS also alleged that Dr Mishra was asking Sanjo pharmacy to visit Cath lab in cardiology department on daily basis to supply stents, pacemakers and implants at higher prices to run a private syndicate to derive benefits and create assets out of proportion of his income. 

“This syndicate had been working for last 10-12 years as per the statements of DM cardiology students available you tube videos uploaded,” he said as he also named the other two colleagues of Dr Mishra – Dr Manish Kapoor, Associate Professor and Dr Amit Malviya, Assistant Professor – to be equal partners in this implant scam in NEIGRIHMS.

“All three of them belong to Varanasi. This is why Dr. Animesh Mishra is so powerful? The whistle blower, the director, Dr DM Thappa shown the door while corrupt is being safe guarded,” he said. 

He said that AMRIT pharmacy was by passed which is supposed to supply these items at subsidized rates to hospital patients. 

Dr Thappa said despite bringing this into notice of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi from 2017 to 2020, he was (instead) asked to have a cordial relationship with Dr Mishra. 

He also said when matter surfaced in Media, faculty members close to Mishra portraying from NEIGRIHMS Faculty Association charged Director of tarnishing the image of the institute.

The former DIrector further alleged the earlier Institute self-run pharmacy was closed in 2016-17 to open private vendor “Life Care Pharmacy” in the institute premises with the help of current Deputy Director Administration (DDA) David T Umdor (against the advice of the Director In charge Dr. Prithwis Bhattacharyaa). He added, now AMRIT pharmacy is being targeted and being closed with the help of private pharmacy lobby and DDA. 

“The nexus between various parties is deep to be scrutinized by Central Bureau of Investigations,” Dr Thappa said.

After April 30, 2019 seizure of stents, pacemakers and implants of Sanjo pharmacy, the former Director said the cardiology department started utilizing the stents and other accessories from AMRIT pharmacy with the intervention of Meghalaya High Court but pacemakers were continued to be procured from private parties outside NEIGRIHMS authorized pharmacies.

Cath lab has been put at a cost of Rs. 10 crore rupees with annual maintenance of Rs. 25-26 lakh rupees.  There is another cath lab which is mobile not being used, even when fixed cath lab goes out of order. 

“These assets institute had created for the benefits of the public but still public is paying price for stenting which is higher than even corporate sector,” he said.

Dr DM Thappa is currently woring as Professor Senior Scale, Dermatology and STD Department, JIPMER, Puducherry.