AFDLHF medical suppliers to launch hunger strike in Mumbai over delayed payments
The All Food and Drug Licence Holders Foundation (AFDLHF) has warned that medical suppliers across the state will go on an indefinite hunger strike outside the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority in Mumbai on Monday. The demonstration is a direct protest against long-overdue payments that have been delayed by the state procurement authority for over a year.
In an official letter addressed to the procurement authority, the foundation expressed the growing frustration of its members. The AFDLHF stated that the suppliers have been placed under severe financial distress because the state has kept their payments pending for more than twelve months.
The financial strain has hit Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) particularly hard. The foundation explained that these smaller businesses are currently facing serious difficulties in meeting their day-to-day financial and statutory obligations. Many are struggling to pay employee salaries, meet banking commitments, and clear pending payments owed to manufacturers and transporters who facilitate the delivery of goods.
According to the AFDLHF, the decision to launch an indefinite hunger strike was made after all other avenues of communication were exhausted. The foundation noted that it has previously made several representations in writing, held face-to-face meetings with senior officials, and conducted repeated follow-ups regarding the outstanding payments. However, these actions did not result in the release of the pending funds.
Beyond the financial impact on individual businesses, the foundation warned that the ongoing payment crisis could have serious consequences for public health in Maharashtra. The delay in payments is already adversely affecting the uninterrupted supply of vital medical goods. This includes medicines, medical devices, surgical consumables, and other essential healthcare products that are regularly distributed to government hospitals and primary health centres across the state.
