Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar, May 4: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has decided to provide free medicines for critical diseases at all government hospitals across the state.

Earlier, free medicines were available for cold, fever and other common diseases at a few government hospitals. But now, free medicines for diseases such as cancer, asthma and rabies will be available at all government hospitals. To this end, the government is setting up a dedicated procurement agency called the Odisha Medical Service Corporation.

After a meeting of the State Health Mission, Naveen said: “The free medicine distribution scheme for all diseases will be made available at all government health facilities.”

Health and family welfare minister Damadar Rout said: “Once the corporation comes into existence by September, medicines will be distributed to the people.”

“The BPL patients are already getting monetary benefit from the Odisha Treatment Fund to get treated for critical diseases both at government and private sector hospitals,” said Rout.

Director of the National Rural Health Mission (Odisha) Pramod Meherda said: “We are working on the modalities under which critical diseases are covered.”

Under the free distribution scheme, generic medicines will be provided. “We have placed a budget of nearly Rs 235 crore towards drugs procurement. The chief minister has asked us to develop an institutional mechanism for effective distribution of the medicines,” he said.

The government would also ensure that doctors at government hospitals recommend only generic drugs.

This apart, beds at the four district headquarters hospitals — Kendrapara, Jharsuguda, Malkangiri and Dhenkanal — will be increased from 100 to 300.

The state government has also recognised contribution of the Accredited Social Health Workers, women health volunteers working at the grassroots level. All the 38,000 workers will now be covered under the National Pension Scheme. As part of the scheme, the government will contribute Rs 1,000 every year for each worker.

The government also plans to establish intensive care units at 12 district headquarters hospitals and Capital Hospital.