It is the duty of the government to see to it that citizens are not deprived of the essential drugs which cannot be stopped even at wartime Reports pouring in from across the country suggest that there is an acute shortage of medicines and related equipment, thanks to the unofficial blockade imposed by India citing the prolonged agitation by the Madhes-based parties on the Nepal-India border points. The government has already said that there is going to be a humanitarian crisis due to the scarcity of essential commodities, including petroleum products, drugs and foodstuffs. The industries and manufacturing sector have suffered huge economic losses due to the unavailability of raw materials to be imported from India or third countries. Now people have started feeling the scarcity of essential medicines to be imported from India or third countries. Reports from Pokhara and other parts have revealed that essential drugs for diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid, cancer, skin disease among others and oxygen cylinders are in short-supply. If the blockade and the Madhes-based agitation persist drug stores have warned that they will run out of their stock within a few couple of days. More than 60 percent of the medicine and equipment related to it are imported from India and the rest from third countries, that too, via India. Many hospitals and Public Health Offices across the country, including in the Madhes, have complained that the stock of medicines are running out due to the prolonged agitation. The Public Health Offices in various districts have reported that they could not purchase and distribute as many as 85 types of essential drugs provided by the government free of charge to the people as a result of the agitation and blockade. The health workers in some districts could not properly administer the Vitamin A Capsule under the campaign to children under five years of age, thanks to the agitation in the Tarai. Some drugs associated with diabetes, cancer, blood pressure and thyroid should be in regular supply otherwise the life of patients will be in danger. Even the pharmaceutical companies based in Nepal have not been able to produce the required medicine within the country as they have not been able to import them from outside the country. The unavailability of the essential medicines or their short-supply is a serious matter to be reckoned with. Some drug stores in Pokhara and other parts of the country have tried their best to supply medicine to the needy and regular patients importing them from airways. But the private companies or firms cannot do so for a long time as such a measure is highly expensive and time taking. Keeping in mind the seriousness of the situation the government should take measures on importing medicines even from the third countries if the present situation continues for another couple of days or weeks. It is the duty of the government to see to it that citizens are not deprived of the essential drugs which cannot be stopped even at wartime. On the other hand, the agitating parties cannot be expected to be so irresponsible as they seem to be by blocking verything from reaching the public. They must at least let the drugs reach all parts of the country without obstruction. Tourism suffering Pokhara is considered to be a gateway for the world famous Annapurna trekking route. It is one of the most popular destinations for both foreign and domestic tourists. But tourism in Pokhara is now facing a hard time due to the lack of fuel. This has caused the visitors to shorten their stay in Pokhara. It is a matter of serious concern for people in this area largely depend on tourism for their livelihood. Most of the hotels in Pokhara are facing closure or are already closed due to lack of LPG. As a result the number of tourists in Pokhara has declined significantly this year. It is seeing only a few visitors although this is supposed to be the peak season in this popular hub for visitors. The local entrepreneurs have urged the concerned to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity to the hotels in Pokhara. The long fuel crisis has already taken a heavy toll on the economy. Moreover, the tourists are found to be shortening their stay in Pokhara. It is difficult to conduct sight-seeing for the tourists due to lack of the precious fuel, and they have to resort to the use of firewood to cook for the visitors.