Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 1: The ambitious Niramaya scheme of the state government that aims to
provide free generic drugs to people has fallen short of its target of availing adequate stock of medicines at district headquarters hospitals.
The free drug scheme which was launched May 1 by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has set a target of availing at least 272 varieties of generic drugs in the first phase and a total of 570 drugs in the second and last phase.
The state has enlisted 570 medicines in its amended essential drug list of 2014.
Going by the poor implementation of the scheme at Capital Hospital here, it is evident that the Niramaya scheme is lagging way behind in meeting its targets.
Said to be the biggest government hospital of the state, Capital Hospital has stocked only 164 varieties of generic medicines for patients instead of the mandated 272.
“This is a huge step by the state government to distribute free drugs to all patients. The scheme requires time for complete implementation from the top to bottom,”said Binod Mishra, Capital Hospital superintendent.
“There are around 164 varieties of medicines currently available at our drug distribution centre. We will increase the stock very soon,” Mishra said.
On the contrary, a source at the drug distribution centre at the hospital told Orissa POST that they have only 134 varieties of medicines, not 164 as said by the superintendent.
Due to heavy rush of patients at the hospital here, it was earlier decided that Capital Hospital should have five drug distribution centres, but as of now the hospital has only one such centre while the other one is still under construction.
There are still no signs of the other three drug distribution centres.
