**Summary:**
The Ministry of Science and Technology addressed concerns regarding potential equipment shortages for neuro and peripheral interventional procedures at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram. While SCTIMST had a rate contract tender for these items until October 2025, three key suppliers declined to supply equipment beyond July 2025, citing the need for price escalation.
To mitigate any impact on patient care, the Department of Imaging Sciences and Interventional Radiology (ISIR) at SCTIMST recommended procuring the items through AMRIT Pharmacy, a government agency. Consequently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with HLL Life Care Limited (HLL) on June 10, 2025, to facilitate procurement through AMRIT Pharmacy.
The MoU with HLL ensures prices are comparable to those offered to national institutions like AIIMS and PGIMER and includes a price fall clause to protect SCTIMST from cost escalations by ensuring they benefit from the lowest prices offered by HLL for the same items elsewhere. This MoU guarantees an uninterrupted supply of necessary equipment and consumables.
Furthermore, continuous efforts are underway to streamline purchase processes through the Government e Marketplace (GeM), in accordance with Government of India norms. SCTIMST is granted the flexibility to procure equipment through rate contracts, AMRIT pharmacies, or the GeM portal to prevent supply disruptions.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on August 20, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences Technology: An autonomous institute of national importance under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, referred to as SCTIMST in the document.
AMRIT Pharmacy: A government agency used for procuring medical items, recommended by the Department of Imaging Sciences and Interventional Radiology (ISIR) at SCTIMST.
HLL Life Care Limited: A Government procurement agency (HLL) with which SCTIMST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to procure medical items through Amrit Pharmacy.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences: A National Institution (AIIMS) mentioned as a benchmark for pricing in the MoU with HLL.
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research: A National Institution (PGIMER) mentioned as a benchmark for pricing in the MoU with HLL.
Government e Marketplace: A government portal (GeM) used for streamlining purchase processes.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where a written reply was given.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SUPPLIES OF
EQUIPMENTS OF NEURO AND PERIPHERAL
INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES
Posted On: 20 AUG 2025 4:24PM by PIB Delhi
There is no shortage of equipment supplies for neuro and peripheral interventional procedures, impacting
patient care at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST),
Thiruvananthapuram.
SCTIMST has a rate contract tender to procure items for neuro and peripheral interventional procedures till
October 2025. Three key suppliers declined supply of equipment beyond July 2025, citing a requirement for
price escalation. In May 2025, the Department of Imaging Sciences and Interventional Radiology (IS&IR) at
SCTIMST recommended procuring the items through the Government agency AMRIT Pharmacy. Thus, a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with HLL Life Care Limited (HLL) on 10/06/2025 to
procure the items through the Government procurement agency, Amrit Pharmacy to avoid impact on patient
care, if any.
The current MoU with HLL has prices at par/same with the National Institutions like AIIMS, PGIMER etc
and includes a price fall clause, which ensures that SCTIMST benefits from the lowest prices offered by HLL
for the same items elsewhere, thereby preventing cost escalations in neuro and interventional radiology
procedures.
The MoU with HLL will ensure an uninterrupted supply of equipment and consumables through the
Government procurement agency, Amrit Pharmacy. Continuous efforts are also being made to streamline the
purchase processes through Government e Marketplace (GeM) as per norms mandated by Government of
India. To avoid supply disruptions in the National Premier Institute, flexibility is provided to procure the
equipment either through rate contracts, AMRIT pharmacies or the GeM portal.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
***
NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2158390)