Dearth of medicines hits health project in Kerala
State nodal officer of NCD told DC that the KMSCL had failed to procure NCD medicines
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dearth of essential medicines to treat diabetes and hypertension has stalled the state’s ambitious non-communicable diseases programme aimed at early detection and management of diabetes and hypertension in people above 30 years of age. This has happened due to the failure of the KMSCL (Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd) to procure and supply medicines to hospitals, primary health centres and centres.
The programme launched jointly by NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) and Directorate of Health Services has around 1.5 crore beneficiaries. Many essential medicines are not available giving a tough time to patients and hospital authorities. Currently, all PHCs, NCD clinics and other sub-centres are conducting screening to detect hypertension and diabetes in persons above 30 years. However, the distribution of free medicine has been stopped completely.
State nodal officer of NCD Dr Bipin K. Gopal told DC that the KMSCL had failed to procure NCD medicines as planned.
“There is acute dearth of NCD medicines in the state. KMSCL was supposed to procure and supply NCD medicines required for the first quarter in April, 2014. Owing to a flaw, the entire tender procedure was quashed. They have initiated fresh procedures and promised to supply the stock by next month,” said Mr Gopal. As per the programme, the department was providing free medicines till the disease was cured.
“The number of beneficiaries has gone up since costly medicines are being supplied free of cost. We were unable to carry forward the programme using plan fund. There are around 20 types of medicines supplied under the scheme, of which the majority are unavailable,” he added.