PANJIM, AUG 5
In view of complaints of non-availability of medicines at government-run hospitals and health centres, the government has taken a decision to display on notices of the hospital or health centre the type of medicines made available.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Thursday told the House during “Question Hour” that a mechanism has been worked out to inform patients of the availability of medicines.
He was responding to queries raised by Opposition members and the question tabled by Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar.
Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar pointed out that health centres in rural areas do not have medicines. He was referring to a written reply given by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to a question tabled by Narvekar that between April 2008 and March 2009, Directorate of Health Services (DHS) procured medicines worth Rs 1,32,296 and from April 2009 to 2010, medicines of Rs 3,67,548 were procured.
The health minister also said that “Under new guidelines health officers are given powers to purchase medicines as per their requirement, but most of the time the health officers do not buy medicines as they don’t want to take responsibility.”
Opposition Leader said this arrangement is not adequate as health officers may face practical difficulties in procuring medicine for his patient.
“Suppose a patient from remote place of Poiguimim visits a health centre in his area. Tell me from where and how the health officer will get medicines for his patient?” he queried.
However, this question was not answered. Earlier, purchase of medicines by different hospitals came under scrutiny when Aldona MLA sought to know the reason for increase in money spent on medicines.
Also, he asked whether the government received discount on bulk purchases of medicine.
Between April 2008 and March 2009, Goa Medical College (GMC) bought medicines worth Rs 11,49,73,060 whereas the following year purchases increased to Rs 19,18,80,789.
The heath minister said medicines are purchased by floating tenders and bids are scrutinised by Drug Purchase Committee (DPC) constituted by the government.
New departments have been added in the GMC as also all in-patients are given medicines free of cost that also include costly drugs such as anti-cancer drugs, insulin etc, Health Minister said giving reasons for increase in the amount spent on medicines.
