Delhi orthopaedic surgeon Tukaram Mundhe warns of a staggering 2,800% rise in hospital consumable prices, including syringes, gloves, IV sets and dressings.

Delhi‑based orthopaedic surgeon Tukaram Mundhe has raised the alarm over what he describes as an "2,800% beyond comprehension" increase in the cost of basic medical consumables used in Indian hospitals.

What the numbers reveal

According to Mundhe, items such as syringes, disposable gloves, IV sets and wound dressings that once cost a few hundred rupees are now being sold at prices that are dozens of times higher. He cited recent invoices that show a single syringe fetching upwards of ₹5,000, compared with the market rate of ₹15‑20 a few years ago.

Impact on patients and providers

The surge is not just a number on a spreadsheet; it translates into higher out‑of‑pocket expenses for patients, especially those who rely on private hospitals for critical care. "When a family is already grappling with a serious illness, seeing a price tag that has ballooned by nearly thirty‑fold is devastating," Mundhe said in an interview.

Hospital administrators argue that the rise reflects global supply‑chain disruptions, increased raw‑material costs, and the need to maintain profit margins. However, the surgeon counters that many of the price hikes lack any transparent justification and appear to be driven by a few dominant distributors.

Calls for regulatory action

Mundhe is urging the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to introduce a set of “trade‑pricing rules” that would mandate hospitals to disclose the procurement cost of consumables and cap mark‑ups at a reasonable level. He also suggested that an independent body be set up to audit hospital supply chains regularly.

“We need a system where the price of a glove or a bandage is not a mystery,” he added. “Transparency will protect patients and restore trust in our healthcare system.”

Government response

The health ministry has acknowledged the concerns and said it is reviewing existing price‑control mechanisms. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a draft policy on medical consumable pricing will be tabled in the upcoming quarter.

While the debate continues, patients and advocacy groups are calling for immediate relief measures, such as temporary price caps and mandatory disclosure of consumable costs on hospital bills.

For now, the medical community watches closely, hoping that the heightened scrutiny will translate into concrete reforms that curb excessive mark‑ups and safeguard affordable care.