Dipayal, September 20

Delay in procurement has led to shortage of essential medicines in government health facilities of the far-west region.

The drug crunch began a fortnight ago. “The number of patients is increasing in health facilities of the district as the season changes and lack of medicine has made things worse,” said heath workers.

District Hospital Baitadi Chief Dr Gunraj Awasthi said medicine crunch had severely affected the treatment of patients.

“Even essentials drugs have become scarce,” Dr Awasthi said.

Medicines are brought into the district through tender. However, the higher authority has yet to forward the procurement process.

Far-western Regional Directorate of Public Health Inspector Siddraj Bhatta said the centre had directed his office to procure the drugs.

“We shall soon move ahead with the procurement process,” Bhatta said.