If Medicines Are Unavailable At The Hospital, Govt. Doctors Will Purchase & Provide Them To Patients
CM Mann Explains the Rationale Behind This Move
The Punjab govt. has implemented a new system to provide significant relief to patients visiting govt. hospitals. Under this new arrangement, if an essential medicine is unavailable at a hospital, the hospital staff rather than directing the patient elsewhere will purchase the medicine from the open market and provide it to the patient.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh have clarified that patients will no longer have to wander around in search of medicines. If any doctor instructs a patient to procure medicines from outside sources or acts negligently, strict disciplinary action will be taken against them.
CM Mann acknowledged that, in the past, a “commission racket” existed wherein doctors would prescribe medicines from outside sources; this practice often resulted in patients having to purchase medicines at prices up to three times higher than their actual cost. The new system is designed to put an end to this malpractice.
The Health Minister explained that a dedicated budget has been allocated to the Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) of all hospitals for this purpose. Whenever necessary, and with the approval of the SMO, medicines will be purchased from the market; simultaneously, a requisition for those medicines will be sent to the headquarters to ensure their availability within the hospital itself in the future.
Furthermore, if for any reason an X-ray, ultrasound, or other essential diagnostic test cannot be conducted within the hospital and the patient requires immediate testing they may undergo the test at an authorized external center. In such instances, the government will reimburse the patient for the bills submitted for these diagnostic tests.
Immediate Access To Expert Consultation
The government has established cardiac labs in Amritsar, Patiala, and Faridkot, where cardiologists will be available around the clock (24/7). A dedicated WhatsApp group has been created for this initiative, connecting doctors from across the state. A patient’s ECG and medical reports can be shared instantly within this group to seek immediate expert advice.
In critical situations, patients will receive immediate medical treatment at facilities located in Amritsar, Patiala, Faridkot, Ludhiana, and Sector-32. To date, approximately 800 patients have already availed themselves of this facility. The government has affirmed that once a patient reaches a hospital, they will not be allowed to face any form of inconvenience or hardship.
