Puri: The Niramaya Yojana, launched by the state government to provide free medicines to patients, has failed to benefit the poor patients in the district.
Despite the fact that there are four Niramaya outlets on the premises of district headquarters hospital (DHH) here to provide free medicines, patients visiting the hospital are compelled to purchase expensive medicines from outside. The health department has strictly instructed the doctors only to prescribe medicines that are available with the Niramaya outlets. However, barring some minor diseases, the patients are compelled to purchase medicines for all other health conditions from outside.
Very few people visit the Niramaya counters at the DHH throughout the day, giving the premises a deserted look. On the other hand, medicine stores outside the premises always remain overcrowded, clearly indicating that the free medicine scheme is in disarray in the district.
During his visit to the DHH in February last year, district collector Arvind Agarwal had come across this harsh reality and expressed his discontent. He had strictly directed the doctors to only prescribe generic medicines and those that are available in Niramaya counters.
Last week, saline kits became out of stock at the Niramaya counters for two days compelling patients to purchase it from outside. While all facilities are available for expectant mothers and newborn at the DHH, the patients are still forced to purchase medicines from outside, sources said. “Although all medicines and diagnosis are available for patients free of cost, the doctors are prescribing costly medicines to patients with a view to earn commissions,” a doctor of the DHH said, requesting anonymity.
An official of the health department also echoed the same view by saying that all necessary medicines and medical equipment are available at the DHH, but some doctors are willingly not prescribing medicines available in Niramaya.
“Surprisingly, some doctors allegedly persuade patients that the medicines available with Niramaya counters are of sub-standard and that they will not cure their diseases,” some patients alleged. “The doctors are compelling us to purchase medicines of some particular brands,” they added. Additional district medical officer Pravat Kumar Sahu said, “There are 167 varieties of generic medicines available at the hospital. I have directed all doctors to prescribe generic medicines. If I get any complaint related to doctors prescribing other medicines, I will probe into it.”
Chief district medical officer Harihar Patnaik said, “Efforts are on to provide improvised service to the patients. I have not received any such complaint so far. I will take action if I get any complaint of doctor compelling patients to buy medicines from outside.”
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