Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma conducted a surprise inspection of Civil Hospital Mohali on Friday. After the inspection, while talking to media persons, he stated that the purpose of this inspection was to check and ensure the proper implementation of the announcement by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann regarding providing free medicines to patients at Government hospitals.
Verma also spoke to patients coming out of the Civil Hospital and inquired whether they had been provided with all the medicines prescribed by the doctors free of cost. All the patients confirmed that they had received free medicines and appreciated this public welfare initiative of the Government.
Verma mentioned that, in consultation with the doctors, an Essential Drug List (EDL) comprising 276 drugs has been prepared by the Health Department. Out of these, rate contracts have been finalized for 90% of the drugs. For the remaining drugs and drugs prescribed by Government doctors, the Senior Medical Officers (SMO) will purchase the medicines from the market and provide them to the patients, ensuring that patients do not have to spend anything from their pocket for the purchase of prescribed medicines. For this purpose, Rs. 25 Cr has been approved by the Chief Minister. The financial powers of SMOs have been increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2.50 Lakhs to enable them to purchase these medicines.
The Chief Secretary stated that there are 23 District Hospitals, 41 Sub-Divisional Hospitals, and 161 Community Health Centres in the State, and the above system has been put in place in all these hospitals. He further mentioned that on his directions, all the Deputy Commissioners in the State had conducted an inspection of their District Hospitals to ensure the implementation of the above decision. Additionally, all the Deputy Commissioners held detailed meetings with Civil Surgeons and SMOs to resolve any teething problems.
Verma emphasized that if any patient coming to any of the above Government Hospitals does not receive the medicine prescribed by the Government doctor, he/she should immediately get in touch with the SMO or the concerned DC. In addition, the matter may be reported to the Helpline No. 1100. He also directed the Health Department to ensure that this public welfare decision of the Government is implemented in letter and spirit.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary, Health Ajoy Sharma, and MD, Punjab Health System Corporation Varinder Kumar Sharma.
