Nayagarh: In a shocking incident, a huge stash of life saving medicines, meant to be provided to patients free of cost, was found dumped under a bridge in Gochabari area of Nayagarh district Saturday.
People spotted iron tablets, syrups and other medicines dumped under the bridge clearly reflecting the carelessness of medical authorities.
The incident sparked resentment in the area as most of the sacks contained paediatric drugs.
Although some suspect that the medicines came from the local Community Health Centre (CHC), it has not been confirmed. Some of the medicines were date expired, but others had not crossed the validity period. The market value of the medicines is estimated to be around Rs 30,000.
As the medicines were found dumped a few meters away from the local hospital, it is suspected that it might have been dumped by the hospital authorities, sources said.
District health officers have launched a probe into the matter. “At a time when people are not getting free medicines, I wonder why the medicines were dumped,” said a local resident.
There are allegations that iron tablets and syrup, meant to be distributed in schools and anganwadis, are not being distributed properly by the concerned staff. They simply dump the medicines here and there.
But some medical authorities said the dumped medicines were date expired. However, locals pointed out that the date expired medicines can be returned to the manufacturer. Appropriate action should be taken against those who are responsible for this, a resident said.
The carelessness of the hospital staff and the dumping of medicines worth lakhs have raised concern about healthcare services in Nayagarh district.
The people criticised the dumping of life saving drugs when the poor are not getting medicines for treating killer diseases. Locals have demanded a departmental inquiry and strict action against those responsible for wasting the costly medicines.
PNN