Prolonged protests in Tarai and the shortage of fuel have hindered concerned agencies under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) from delivering essential drugs to the health facilities in the region.According to the health officials, drug crisis is likely to grow severe in Panchthar as health posts, primary health care centers and district hospital have been grappling with the depleting stock of medicines.
"Problems will become more severe if drugs are not supplied immediately," said Hem Dhungana, storekeeper at Panchthar District Public Health Office. He informed that even the private pharmacies in the district lacked the medicines. Gopal Baskota, a pharmacist in Phidim, informed that the dispensaries in the district have run out of emergency drugs like metronidazole injection, Pentoprazole, RL saline and others injections. Those drugs are not available even in Biratnagar, Birtamod and Damak, places from where drugs were supplied to remote places.
District hospital, Taplejung has been buying medicines from private pharmacies to run the hospital.
Doctors at the district hospital complained that they have been facing acute scarcity of emergency drugs and delivery kits. Dr Kumud Bhattarai, acting director at the district hospital, informed that the hospital lacked stitching thread and pad that are used in delivery. "Even the private pharmacies are not in the position to deliver the drugs to the hospital," said Dr Bhattarai. Sundar Mohan Shakya, who runs Shakya Medical Hall, said that his pharmacy will run out of stock within one week.
The district Hospitals of Panchthar and Taplejung have also informed the Regional Health Directorate about the ongoing medicine crisis they have been facing.
Related story
Singapore says drug smuggling worsens, even as hangings rise
