The government had announced that it would distribute 32 varieties of medicine from health posts and 22 varieties from sub-health posts.[break]
“So far, villagers have not received the free medicine promised by the government,” said Senior Assistant Health Worker Dilli Prasad Acharya of Paiyupata sub-health post in Kaski district. “The free medicine provided to the districts is not enough,” he said.
Acharya complained they had informed the authorities concerned about the problem but things have still not improved. He added that the problem is compounded by the fact that the government is not distributing enough medicine for the population.
“The government sent five medicines enough for just 2,000 people in the VDCs with population of 8,000,” said Acharya who was in Pokhara to participate in the eight national convention of Nepal Health Technicians Association.
There is scarcity of antibiotic, paracetamol and iron capsules needed for pregnant women. Though there are enough condoms for free distribution, essential medicines like Jeevan Jal are scarce in several health posts.
Medicines are not supplied on the basis of demand so some health posts get more than needed while others are facing scarcity, according to Ram Hari Dhakal, senior assistant health worker at Sirdiwas sub-health post, Gorkha.
“Areas with population of 25,000 and those with population of 3,000 are getting the same amount of medicines,” he said, explaining the problem.
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