Basta: Medicines meant to be provided to patients for free of cost were found dumped in the backyard of a hospital. The poor state of affairs has been reported from Basta hospital in Balasore district.
Some locals spotted iron tablets, syrups and other medicines dumped in the backyard of the 50-bedded hospital which clearly reflects carelessness of the medical authorities.
“At a time when people are being deprived of medicines for free, I wonder why the medicines are thrown out,” asked a local.
It was also learnt that several cartons of medicines were also lying abandoned on the verandah of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) office.
Medical officer-in-charge, Dr Ratnakar Das claimed ignorance over the matter saying, he was out of town.
It was alleged that the ion tablets and syrup which are meant to be distributed in schools and anganwadi centres, are not being distributed properly by the concerned staff rather they dump the medicine here and there.
Basta hospital pharmacist, Sudarshan Behera said the medicines found dumped outside are actually expired ones.
When contacted, Balasore CDMO, Vivekananda Das said that the expired medicines can be returned to the manufacturer instead of throwing out. Appropriate action will be taken against those who are responsible for the negligence, he added.
However, the blame game of hospital staff and wasting of medicines worth lakhs of rupees have raised concern over the healthcare services in Basta.
Meanwhile, locals have demanded a departmental inquiry and strict action in this connection.
PNN