DOCS DESERT THE HILLS, MEDICINES IN SHORT SUPPLY

Amitava Banerjee, THT, 13 August 2013, DARJEELING: Despite being exempted from the bandh, health services are the worst-affected in the indefinite bandh. Diminishing stocks in the medical stores and the strength of doctors at government hospitals running low are a cause of grave concern. 

Although the bandh has exempted essential services, including medical services — hospitals, clinics, medical stores — the stock of essential medicines in stores is fast diminishing. And there is no way to replenish the stocks, which have to be brought in from Siliguri. The worst-hit are drugs that have to be consumed daily – medicines for diabetes, high blood-pressure and heart ailments. 

“Fearing that the stocks will be exhausted, people have been resorting to panic buying. Customers who usually buy only a strip of such medicines at a time are now buying four to five strips in one go, not leaving anything to chance. We haven’t been able to replenish our stocks, since the wholesellers from the plains are not willing to come up to Darjeeling with the medicines during the bandh,” a medicine store owner said. 

There are about 45 medical stores in Darjeeling town. The state of the governmentrun hospitals is the same. Although the authorities have preferred to remain tight-lipped, sources say that, out of 40 doctors at the Sadar Hospital, only 21 are now present. Of the 21 around 14 are local doctors.