The shortage is forcing patients to return without treatment. The shortage hit health posts in rural areas of the district from mid-May.[break]
Of the 40 medicine items that the government provides, there is a scarcity of essential medicines, including iron capsules for pregnant women, medicines for diarrhea, stomach ailments and headache.
“Medicine supplies that arrive in mid-May is about to be used up,” said Yogendra Khatri, who runs the Mannakapadi sub-health post. “It has been months since we ran out of stock,” he added.
It is not just the health posts in rural areas that are facing this shortage. Even the district hospital has been affected.
Chudamani Bhandari, chief of District Health Office, put the blame on DoH. “The department delayed the purchase process. We have been procuring essential medicines directly from manufacturers,” he said.
Medicine procured by the department in February was used up by April. Another stock is unlikely to arrive before a month from now.
There are 39 sub-health posts, 10 health posts and two primary health posts in the district.
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