Rajbiraj, February 1

Government health facilities across Saptari have been facing drugs crunch of late due to prolonged delay in selecting contractor companies to supply medicines in the district.

According to Information Officer at the District Public Health Office Chhedi Prasad Yadav, they have not been able to forward the tender process due to absence of the office chief.

“Many firms have applied in response to our tender notice, but as the office chief is on leave, there is no way we can select the firms to supply the drugs anytime soon,” he said. There are a total of 113 health posts, four primary health centres and two hospitals in the district. Though government health facilities are mandated to distribute as many as 35 types of essential drugs free of cost, health centres in Rautahat have less than 17 types of freebies for patients.

Eid Mohammad of Barasain VDC bemoaned the plight of having to make the long haul to the district headquarters just to buy paracetamol. “Health workers examine us, but they don’t have the drugs we need. So, we are compelled to reach as far as the district headquarters to get the prescribe medicines,” he lamented.

Malahaniya Health Post Chief Chandilal Safi conceded that almost all health facilities in the district were reeling under drugs crunch.