Patna, April 5 (H.S.): The Bihar State Health Services Committee has suspended the services of the company that approached the court over complaints of irregularities in the tender, in compliance with the Patna High Court's order. As a result of this committee's action, people are compelled to go to private sector labs for testing. The High Court, on March 24, had annulled the pathology testing contract with Hindustan Wellness and its partner Khanna Lab for going against the rules and demanded a response within a week. A week later, following the High Court's order, the committee also suspended the services of POCT, which was already operational, despite POCT having a contract to work until 2027.

POCT has written a letter to the Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited on April 4, complaining that their contract is valid until June 27, 2027. Nevertheless, the state health committee has halted its operations, causing difficulties for the public in Bihar. This action by the committee is also violating the company's service conditions. It is important to note that both the state health committee and the corporation are institutions of the health department. POCT has attached a letter issued by Nalanda and Shivhar hospitals ordering them to cease operations.

On March 24, the Patna High Court annulled a work order for pathology services issued to Hindustan Wellness and Khanna Lab, highlighting procedural violations in the contract formed on November 19, 2024. The court found that the necessary rules were ignored and that the order was issued prematurely, before the consortium was properly established. Pathology services at Bihar's government health centers operate under a public-private partnership model. Previously, a contract was awarded to POCT following a 2019 tender, which was extended until 2027. In October 2024, a new contentious tender emerged, initially favoring Science House as the lowest bidder, but was rejected due to discrepancies in their financial bid. Subsequently, the lower-bidding consortium led by Hindustan Wellness was awarded a Letter of Intent on November 5, and an agreement was signed on November 11, despite their failure to meet technical criteria. Science House and the existing provider, POCT, contested this in the Patna High Court, alleging irregularities. The court confirmed the consortium's lack of formation, identified haste in the contract decision, and immediately annulled it. The court ordered a government response within a week. This ruling has caused public distress as citizens now face costly fees for testing, contrasting with the previously free service intended under the public health scheme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar