JAJARKOT: Patients have been due to the shortage of medicine in Jajarkot Hospital operated by Karnali state government.

Medicine for gastritis, jeevanjal (oral rehydration powder), diclofenac ointment, wound ointment and so on are in short supply in the hospital. Many patients visit the hospital-run pharmacy each day with prescriptions for several sorts of medicines, but are compelled to turn to private drug stores. Patients dependent on the health insurance have been affected the most.

When asked, hospital chief Dr Kesar Karki said the problem would be addressed soon as medicines are being brought within next few days. As he said, problem surfaced as the new budget could not be spend until the completion of an audit of previous budget. The pharmacy stated the hospital administration had been informed about the situation a month ago, but no progress yet.

One of the pharmacy employees said patients get irritated when they are turned empty-handed. Thalbir Damai of Nalgad Municipality-6 complained that they are not getting even the medicines declared free by the government from the Jajarkot Hospital.