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Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Bihar leads nation in free medicine supply in hosps
1 2 Patna: Bihar has secured the top position in the country for the eleventh consecutive month in the supply and distribution of free medicines in govt hospitals, according to the central govt's Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) portal, health minister Mangal Pandey said on Thursday. He attributed the achievement to the state govt's commitment to improving public health and delivering quality healthcare services. "With the aim to make health services accessible and timely to the people, new hospitals are being constructed and health workers continuously appointed in the state under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar," Pandey said. Citing data from the DVDMS portal, the minister said Bihar led the country with 82.13 points, followed by Rajasthan with 78.61 and Punjab with 73.28. He added that Bihar's policy of free medicine distribution was approved by the cabinet on July 1, 2006. "In 2006, only 47 types of medicines were available. At present, this number has increased to 611. In addition, 20 other types of medicines and 132 types of medical devices and consumables are also being provided for free. Now every patient visiting govt hospitals in the state is receiving medicines as per requirement without any charge," Pandey said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Highlighting improvements in maternal and child health indicators, he said, "The maternal mortality rate was 365 in 2005. It has now come down to 91. The infant mortality rate has decreased to 27, which is equal to the national average. The mortality rate of children under five has dropped to 29, which is better than the national average. The neonatal mortality rate (0-28 days) now stands at 19, again on par with the national average," he said. According to the minister, the state has promoted institutional deliveries, leading to a reduction in home births. Vaccination coverage in Bihar has also reached 95% based on Health Management Information System (HMIS) data. "Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Bihar has achieved the target of generating four crore Ayushman cards and currently holds the third position in the country in this regard," Pandey added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Mint
27-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
With State hospitals' essential medicine stock less than 40%, Centre sounds alarm bell
New Delhi: India's public health system, a cornerstone for millions, faces a critical shortage of essential medicines and diagnostic services, even as the country grapples with a rising burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Several states and Union territories (UTs)–including populous ones such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal and Bihar, among many others–have less than 40% levels of essential medicines and diagnostic services available in government-run hospitals and health centres, said an official aware of the matter and as shown by a document reviewed by Mint. At the same time, the Centre has conveyed its unhappiness to states and UTs about consumers being unaware of a key central government scheme to provide free drugs at public healthcare centres. Gaps in implementation A communication from the Union health ministry on 7 May to the states and UTs, seen by Mint, pointed to gaps in the implementation of its FDSI (free drugs and diagnostics service initiative) program under the national health mission (NHM). 'These include gaps in the notification by state of the average number of drugs and diagnostics available across facilities, as compared to the recommended numbers outlined in the National Essential Drugs and Diagnostics Lists as per IPHS (Indian Public Health Standards)," the communication noted, adding that there is also a noticeable gap between data reported in state reports and data updated in the government's monitoring dashboard. However, the official cited above, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the matter of data gap is not worrisome. 'The states/UT governments have to update the data on the government's portal for effective monitoring and evaluation of FDSI," this person said. 'This is not a big issue; (it is) a regular matter." Also read | India's first public health university on the cards At present, a diagnostic module is being piloted in the DVDMS (drugs and vaccines distribution management system) to monitor the availability of diagnostic reagents and consumables. The DVDMS is an IT application that facilitates the implementation of the FDSI and improves the supply chain of drugs, sutures, and surgical items for district drug warehouses across India. The health ministry has now told states and UTs to update their lists of essential drugs and diagnostic tools to match national guidelines. They also need to evaluate their specific needs and provide feedback on any drug or diagnostic service. Queries emailed to the office of Union health minister J.P. Nadda, health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered till press time. Prof Dr K Srinath Reddy, former, President of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI): 'Availability of essential drugs and diagnostics at all public healthcare facilities is pivotal for meeting both major indicators of universal health coverage, which are financial protection and service coverage. Drugs and diagnostics contribute to a very high level of out of pocket expenditure, resulting in financial hardship to those who need healthcare, especially for chronic conditions. Health outcomes will be poor if healthcare providers are handicapped by absence of essential drugs and diagnostic aids. All efforts must be made by state and central governments to urgently fill these gaps." What are the minimum thresholds? The Centre has been trying to implement the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 guidelines to provide uniform, high quality health services across all states. IPHS are essential benchmarks that ensure the delivery of minimum essential services through public healthcare facilities, including district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, community health centers, primary health centers, and sub health centres. In 2015, the Union health ministry launched the FDSI to provide free essential medicine at all public health facilities, with an aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE). Both the marquee initiatives are being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), providing equitable, affordable and quality healthcare. Also read | Need thorough virtual checkups of public health facilities, Centre tells states According to the guidelines, a district hospital should have at least 375 essential medicines such as anti-infectives, cardiovascular medicines, anti-diabetic medicines, antidepressants, pain relievers, antineoplastic drugs, vitamin and mineral supplements, anticonvulsants, etc. A sub-district hospital needs to stock 325 medicines, community health centres 299 medicines, primary health centres at least 171 medicines, and sub-health centres need to store 105 medicines. As for free diagnostic services, a district hospital should have at least 134 diagnostic services, sub-district hospital (111), community health centre (97), primary health centre (63) and a sub-health centre must provide 14 services. Where are the gaps? According to information reviewed by Mint, states and UTs that have been red flagged by the Centre for having less than 40% availability of medicines as on 25 April 2025 are: Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNHⅅ), Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, J&K, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Also read | Cell planned to find treatments and vaccines for future pandemics Further, the following have less than 40% availability of diagnostic services at the government health facilities: Andaman & Nicobar Island, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, DNHⅅ, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Assam, Bihar, DNHⅅ, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Karnataka, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal Getting the message across The Centre has also raised concerns about common citizens and local public representatives often remaining unaware of FDSI, which limits their ability to fully utilize these essential services. The health ministry has directed the states and UTs to develop comprehensive strategies to promote awareness campaigns, and mandatory display of available drugs and diagnostic services at all health facilities. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, public health expert & former past president, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Cochin Chapter, remarked that despite its goal to provide essential medicines and tests free of cost at public health facilities, many citizens — even in urban areas — apparently remain unaware of these entitlements. Also read | NMC asks medical institutions to establish dedicated Tobacco Cessation Centres 'This has resulted in a gap between planning and implementation," Jayadevan said. 'Limited public awareness and logistical hurdles are major barriers. While media coverage, posters and displays can improve visibility, real impact requires trained personnel, accurate data reporting, and digital integration via systems like DVDMS. Health equity starts with access — and access begins with awareness, supported by reliable systems that deliver."
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hosps introduce QR code system to track medicine availability
Chhapra: The health department has launched a digital initiative in Saran district to ensure transparency and reduce patient inconvenience in govt hospitals. From now on, patients visiting any govt health facility, from primary health centres to sub-divisional and district hospitals, will be able to check the availability of medicines by scanning a QR QR code system is integrated with the Centre's Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) portal, allowing real-time updates on stock levels. The move is intended to prevent patients from being misled about the availability of medicines by any vested the challenges faced by patients in the past, Saran civil surgeon Dr Sagar Dulal Sinha said, "Patients visiting govt hospitals were often harassed under the pretext of certain medicines being unavailable. Although a system for medicine distribution was already in place, patients, especially those travelling from distant areas,, frequently faced difficulties and were forced to purchase medicines from the market.""With the introduction of the new system, the patients would feel relief and would be able to save time and money," he to instructions issued by the health department, scanning the QR code will immediately display a list of medicines on the patient's cellphone. Medicines that are in stock will be shown in green while those unavailable will appear in Kumar, district programme manager (DPM) of the District Health Society, expressed optimism about the new service. "We hope that the digital services will provide transparency in health services," he said.
