JANAKPURDHAM: State-run health institutions in Madhes Province are grappling with a shortage of essential medicines due to delays in procurement by the Health Supplies Centre.
Frequent leadership changes at the Centre—operating under the Ministry of Health and Population of Madhes Province—along with internal disputes, have been cited as key reasons behind the failure to procure drugs on time.
As a result, patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have been hit hardest by the lack of access to vital medicines.
In an effort to continue services, provincial hospitals across the districts have been purchasing medicines using their internal resources. However, hospital officials say they have been unable to provide medications free of cost as pledged by the government.
Similarly, laboratories set up across 136 local levels by the Province Public Health Laboratory are also struggling to operate due to a shortage of testing kits.
Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh stated that efforts are underway to resolve the issue and ensure the supply of medicines as soon as possible.
Although the government has pledged to provide 98 essential drugs free of charge, only about half of them are currently available to patients.
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