Karnataka to publish drug procurement information online for govt health facilities
Bengaluru: In a significant step towards enhancing transparency and improving public healthcare delivery, the Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Limited (KSMCL) will soon publish all drug procurement information online. The initiative aims to ensure both the quality and consistent availability of essential medicines at government hospitals and public health centres across the state.
The decision comes after a meeting between KSMCL officials and representatives of Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana-Karnataka (SAA-K), a grassroots campaign advocating for universal healthcare, as well as members of the Drug Action Forum, as reported by Deccan Herald on Tuesday.
A letter was addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and KSMCL Managing Director Kanagavalli M, urging them to make procurement data publicly accessible and ensure consistent supply of medicines and stock maintenance of regularly needed medicines.
"We have called for tenders to supply drugs. We will ensure that there is transparency in the process and that consistency is maintained. We have e-aushadha and e-upakarana for health centres to place orders for drugs," DH quoted Rao as saying.
Representatives from SAA-K pointed out persistent issues in the supply chain, especially affecting economically disadvantaged patients. They mentioned that poor people were being refused medicines as there was no stock in the department.
"The software can be put to better use here to calculate stocks and to ensure that there transparency in the system," DH quoted Dr Akshay, a representative of SAA-K, as saying.
He stated that if a doctor prescribes medicines for multiple months, those medicines must be available each month. “If it is available one month and not the following month, people are forced to buy them from private pharmacies,” Akshay added.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
