Baripada: Medicines being supplied by the government to various hospitals are allegedly being diverted to unscrupulous traders in Mayurbhanj district even as patients are deprived of their free supply.
Some corrupt hospital staff and traders have allegedly formed a covert tie-up to mint money illegally, it is learnt.
Medicines meant for supply under Niramaya Yojana to poor patients are being sold through brokers. The illegal trade has come to limelight after the death of a woman and her brother-in-law in Kaunphulia Thursday.
Laxmi Majhi (wife of Das Majhi) and her relative Hrudananda Majhi were suffering from diarrhoea. A local quack who was called in for their treatment Wednesday could not provide effective relief. The two were admitted to Betanoti hospital Thursday where they died.
A medical team which conducted a probe into the matter found the two were treated by the quack. The family had paid Rs 1100 towards cost of medicines.
The team collected medicine samples, injections and saline pouches given by the quack and was shocked to find medicines and injections were meant to be supplied by the government under Niramay.
Now, question is being raised how the quack could get the government-supplied medicines.
“This is a punishable act. There is a need for a probe into the matter,” said Manas Ranjan Mohanty, the organizing secretary of Mayurbhanj Drugs and Chemist Association.
A godown is on the premises of PRM Medical College and Hospital, Baripada. All the medicines supplied under the Niramaya Yojana are stocked here.
The medicines are normally dispatched from the district headquarters to CHCs, and PHCs. Now, the moot question before the officials is to ascertain whether the medicines are diverted from the stock room of medical college or from the CHCs and PHCs.
Some experts have suggested that a proper investigation into the medicine batches will expose the racketeers.
It is alleged the racketeers might be hand-in gloves with health officials dealing with Niramaya medicine stores.
When contacted, chief district medical officer Ashutosh Mohapatra said the matter is under investigation.
PNN
