Doctors to Buy Medicines for Patients if Not Available in Hospitals, CM Bhagwant Mann Announces

A big decision has been taken regarding health services in Punjab, which is going to provide great relief to the patients undergoing treatment in government hospitals. Bhagwant Mann Sarkar While implementing the new system, it has been made clear that now patients will not have to wander outside the hospital for medicines. Under the new system, if necessary medicines are not available in any government hospital, then the doctor or hospital staff will themselves purchase the medicine from the market and provide it to the patient. The government says that this will save patients’ time and they will not be forced to buy expensive medicines.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan And Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh also made it clear that if any doctor asks the patient to take medicine from outside or is negligent, then strict action will be taken against him.

What steps did the government take?

• CM Mann admitted that earlier in some cases, doctors used to play commission game while prescribing medicines from outside, due to which the patients got many times more expensive medicines. The purpose of the new system is to completely eliminate this problem.
• The government has also given budget for this to the Senior Medical Officers (SMO) of all the hospitals. If needed, medicine will be purchased from the market with his approval and information about it will be sent to the headquarters to make it available in the hospital in future.
• Relief has been given not only regarding medicines, but also regarding testing facilities.
• If X-ray, ultrasound or other necessary tests are not available in the hospital, then the patient can get tested at an authorized center. In such a situation, the government will pay the patient’s bill.
• Apart from this, special arrangements have been made for serious patients. Cardiac labs have been started in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot, where experts will be available 24 hours.
• Doctors will be able to instantly share the patient’s report through WhatsApp group and seek advice from experts.

The government claims that so far about 800 patients have benefited from this system. Now the effort is that once the patient reaches the hospital, he does not face any kind of problem.