UPSC Civil Services · 2024 · GS 4

Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning

“Sneha is a Senior Manager working for a big reputed hospital chain in a mid-sized city. She has been made in charge of the new super specialty center that the hospital is building with state-of-the art equipment and world-class medical facilities. The building has been reconstructed and she is starting the process of procurement for various equipment and machine. As the head of the committee responsible for procurement, she has invited bids from all the interested reputed vendors dealing in medical equipment. She notices that her brother, who is a well-known supplier of this domain, has sent his expression interest. Since the hospital privately not mandatory for her to select only the lower bidder. Also, she is aware that her brother’s company has been facing some financial difficulties and a big supply order will help him recover. At the same time, allocating the contract to her brother might bring charges of favouritism against her and tarnish her image. The hospital management trusts her fully and would support any decision of hers. (a)What should be Sneha’s course of action? (b)How would she justify what she chooses to do ? (c)In this case, how is medical ethics compromised with vested personal interest ?”

Original exam: 20 marks

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