The Paschima Odisha Dalit Suraksha Parishad (PODSP), a regional outfit for the downtrodden, raised its voice against the neck-deep corruption in distribution of medicines to the indoor patients at VIMSAR, Burla.
It alleged though the licence of two medicine stores in the campus of the medical college has expired, they still are running due to the blessings of the local authorities. Consequently, the patients fail to avail the free medicines in the hospital under various schemes like OSTF, RSBY and BKKY etc and are being forced to buy medicines from the two shops.
The Parishad alleged before the Superintendent of the VIMSAR to have a detail inquiry into the unholy nexus of the medical stores and a few officials of the MCH, including the store officer. "If an inquiry is made, the fact will come to light," said Parishad president Nihal Singh.
The Parishad further alleged that the store officer is purchasing medicines whose expiry date is very close. As a result, the medicines are simply thrown to the drain. Singh alleged that even common people, time and again, raised the matter before the authorities here, but of little avail.
Under various schemes of both State and Central Governments, the eligible patients are entitled to get free medicines up to `3 lakh. But practically the patients are hardly getting medicine worth `10, 000-`15, 000, Singh said. PNS