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Patients queuing up for free meds return empty-handed in Berhampur

Berhampur: Narayanpur resident Madhuri Pradhan, 60, was one of the several patients in queue in front of the free drug distribution centre (DCC) at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here hoping to get medicines free of cost under the state’s Niramaya scheme. She was, however, asked to go back with the pharmacist returning her prescription citing the non-availability of any of the prescribed medicines.



Gobindapur resident Bijay Behera, 52, too had a similar experience. He could get only one out of the four medicines prescribed by the doctors from DCC. Runu Gouda, 50, who has been suffering from allergies could also get only two of the four medicines prescribed by her doctor from DCC.

Left with no option, these patients flocked to retail private medicine shops in the medical college to buy the medicines.

Ganjam collector Vijay Amruta Kulange witnessed scenes patients scrambling for medicines during a surprise visit to the medical college and hospital and City Hospital, the district headquarters hospital here on Wednesday,

“I have seen some doctors still prescribe medicines under Niramaya. If they are not available in the Niramaya store, orders should be placed and stocks filled. We will convene a meeting soon to ensure that doctorsprescribe only Niramaya medicines. If they violate the order, action will be taken against them,” he said.

The government has been supplying medicines worth crores for distribution free of cost under the Niramaya scheme.

He also emphasized on the opening up of more drug distribution centres and pathology testing centres in the medical college and hospital.

Currently, there are eight DCCs and only one pathology centre in the medical college. In the City Hospital, he ordered for change of bedsheets, fans and more lights in different wards.

The government had launched Mo Sarkar — an initiative to ensure that patients are dealt with nicely by doctors and attendants in the hospitals and in police stations — from October 2 on Gandhi Jayanti.

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