Dhankuta, June 2

Chaubishe Rural Municipality in Dhankuta has become the first local level operating pharmacies that offer subsidy on medicines to locals. Earlier, government-run dispensaries offering discounts on medicines were found only at district hospitals.

There are seven health posts and three community health centres in Chaubishe Rural Municipality. The rural municipality-run dispensaries have been set up in nine health facilities out of the total 10.

According to Chaubishe Rural Municipality health section chief Khadananda Shah, five per  discount would be provided on all available medicines other than free medicines provided by the federal government.

Rural municipality vice-chair Yagya Kumari  Ruchal said Rs 100,000 was provided to each of the  pharmacies to offer subsidy on medicines. Locals said medicines at discounted rates were now available at their door steps after the rural municipality-run pharmacies came into operation. The rural municipality’s move would benefit residents in the local level.