In order to transport medicines to Government-run hospitals in remote areas under Niramaya, a scheme under which 570 different medicines are being provided to patients free of cost, the State Government on Friday introduced 50 vehicles equipped with global positioning system (GPS).
All the 50 vehicles are of one type and brand. The Health Department here claimed that the facility is first of its kind in the entire country. Development Commissioner R Balakrishana flagged off the vehicles at the premises of State Medicine Corporation here.
Corporation Managing Director Roopa Mishra said the vehicles would transport medicines from the district headquarters to 377 community health centre (CHC) once in a month while it would carry the medicines to 1,350 primary health centres (PHC), other hospitals in urban areas twice in a month. Mishra said the medicine transportation would be streamlined with the introduction of the vehicles. In May last year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had launched the Niramaya scheme.
Out of the 570 medicines, while 297 varieties are available at PHCs, 478 medicines are available at District Headquarters Hospitals. All the 570 medicines are available at three Government-run medical colleges and hospitals.