Hyderabad: Sweeper doles out Unani drugs in Barkas unit

 Hyderabad: A sweeper has been dispensing medicines to patients in the Unani dispensary at Barkas for two months, the Unani Doctors Association has alleged. About 50 out-patients visit the dispensary every day.

The association said lodged a complaint regarding the practice, along with photographs, to the director, Ayush, but no action had been taken.

A senior Unani doctor said, “The dispensary has only one doctor and the other posts are vacant. Both the trained pharmacists from the Barkas dispensary were transferred out.”

“No pharmacist has been posted to the Barkas dispensary, which is why the sweeper is dispensing the medicines, the doctor said. “When the doctor is delayed and the patients are not willing to wait, the sweeper is also allegedly prescribing medicines.”

The dispensary needs another Unani doctor as many locals patronise the dispensary which dates back to the Nizam’s era, he said. The director, Ayush, was not available for comment.