In an incident which reflects callousness of medical and health department, a consignment of 100 Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) kit meant for treatment of dreaded and highly contagious diseases like AIDS and Ebola returned back to New Delhi as no one from the health department went to Jolly Grant Airport to claim it.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had sent a consignment of these PEP kits to Uttarakhand and in absence of any takers it returned back to Delhi and is now in possession of Central Store Department there. It is learnt that each kit contains medicines, protective clothing, and guidelines for the practitioner and advice for the patients. These kits are meant to prevent infection arising out of an exposure to the diseases like Ebola and AIDS. The PEP Kits are nowadays much in demand among the medical practitioners who are serving in the nations hit hard by the Ebola virus.
The office of Director General (DG) Health services swung into action on Monday as the information about the consignment reached from Delhi. The DG called up the official concerned and inquired about the issue.
The DG of Uttarakhand health services Dr GS Joshi informed The Pioneer that the consignment returned as it had phone number and name of his predecessor probably due to which a misunderstanding occurred and the communication for its arrival could not reach his office. He said that efforts are being made so that the consignment is sent again to the state.