Imphal, August 14: There is no more emergency medicines and other essential drugs in the stock of the Medical Directorate of the State Government as procurement of the same had not been arranged for this year.

Disclosing this, an official of the Directorate informed that the Director of the Medical Directorate had written to the Secretary (Health) on May 26 and July 12 this year in connection with procuring medicines and other essential drugs worth around Rs 50 lakhs.

But the matter is yet to be finalised and there was no purchase.

This revelation comes amidst growing fear and difficulty of the people due to shortage of the required life saving drugs in the markets after the drug companies ceased supplying medicines to the State following alleged monetary demand from an underground organisation.

Out of around 200 drug manufacturing companies that used to supply medicines to the State, around 99 percent have stopped their supply.

In connection with shortage of medicines, Medical Director Dr Th Suresh said the Medical Directorate is trying its best to purchase the required emergency medicines and other essential drugs worth Rs 50 lakhs for the year.

The Directorate would also ensure availability of essential drugs and other medical equipments and infrastructure in all the State Hospitals, District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and Primary Health Sub Centres under it, he assured.

In case the annual expenditure of the Directorate for procuring the required medicines, equipments and other needs is increase to atleast Rs 20 crores, then much of the problems may be solved and the service condition will improve to some extent, the Director maintained.

In 2006, the Directorate had purchased medicines and equipments worth Rs 3 crores.

In connection with shortage of life saving drugs in the markets of Manipur, Superintendent of RIMS Dr Mohen said it would cause lot of difficulties to the people.

If the medicines prescribed by the doctors are not available then how are the doctors supposed to treat the patients ? He questioned.

As for RIMS, there are some life saving fluid in its stock.

The existing stock might last for 2 months if there is no crisis like situation in the State.

But in case of a crisis, the stock might deplete faster, Dr Mohen expressed concern.

While informing that the medicines required for immediate treatment of patients admitted to the hospitals are taken care of by the hospitals although the medicines required for further treatment are purchased by their family members from the markets, Dr Mohen explained that as a result the quantity of medicines in the stock of the hospitals are normally very less.

The remaining stock of Tentrone in RIMS is dwindling and may not last for a month, he disclosed, adding that out of 800 beds in RIMS, around 700 are almost occupied.

According to Superintendent of JN Hospital Dr Motilal, the existing medicine stock in the hospital is also fast depleting as the Medical Directorate has stopped supplying the medicines.

Shortage of medicines would cause lot of difficulties to patients suffering from Diabetes, Hepatitis, chronic diseases as well as those having lung and kidney problem and those on ART medication, Dr Motilal pointed out.

Comment