Rajbiraj, January 18

Hundreds of service seekers have been facing a hard time due to prolonged shortage of essential drugs in most health facilities of Saptari district.

Of the 113 health facilities in the district, almost all of them have been reeling under the crunch of essential drugs that are provided for free by the state. Many patients in the district have no option but to return empty-handed from hospitals after their diagnosis as they cannot find the prescribed drugs.

Ful Mohammad, 80, of Launiya VDC said he had visited Launiya Health Post as he was suffering from fever. But despite getting checked by a doctor, he could not find the medicines that were prescribed to him. “I didn’t get even a single piece of cetamol at the health post. So, I had to travel to the district headquarters for the drugs,” regretted Mohammad.

Assistant Health Worker at the health post Yuba Narayan Mandal said, “At least 40 to 50 patients visit the health facility for treatment on a daily basis, but we have no alternative but to return them empty-handed for want of medicines,” adding, “The problem has persisted as the Public Health Office doesn’t provide us with essential drugs,” said Mandal.

Chief at Malahaniya Health Post Chandi Lal Safi said, “Though we have reported the problem to the District Public Health Office, no significant progress has taken place so far.” Patients at the health post said they were compelled to spend a large amount of money travelling to and from district headquarters to buy the drugs.

Meanwhile, Senior Health Administrator at District Public Health Office Saptari Harishchandra Sah said they will forward the drugs purchasing process in a few days.