Contrary to the orders of the State Government, the Health Directorate continues to be evasive in providing medicines to the Associated hospital of the Doon Medical College (DMC). Following shortage of medicines in the hospital and media reports about the problems faced by the patients in the absence of medicines, the Principal Secretary (PS), Health, Om Prakash on Tuesday had directed that the Health Directorate should continue to provide sufficient medicines to the biggest hospital of the State. He clarified that the Directorate would provide medicines till the DMC receives medicines from its tenders.
The Health Directorate was declining to provide medicines to the Hospital on the plea that it is now part of the Medical College which falls under the medical education department. After the order of the PS the health directorate relented on providing the medicines but is supplying them in very less amounts now. For example the directorate has sanctioned only 4500 bottles of glucose to the hospital which would be exhausted in only three days. Similarly it has provided only 100 vials of Anti Rabies Vaccine to the hospital which would last for a week.
One of a staff member of the Associated hospital of DMS said, “It is surprising the way directorate is hesitating to supply medicines to the hospital. This hospital (earlier Doon hospital) used to take the lion’s share in the medicines of the health department and the department had purchased the medicines for this financial year much before the hospital was handed over to medical college so it should have ample stock of medicines with it. They should understand that the medicines would be used by the patients of the state only.’’
When contacted, the Joint Director (JD) Store, Dr Manu Jain denied that the department is hesitating to provide the medicines to the associated hospital of DMC. He said medicines are being supplied as per their availability. Dr Jain added the medicines are being provided to the hospital on loan. He clarified the hospital now belongs to other department, any supply to it would be on a returnable basis (loan).