category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma on Friday conducted a surprise inspection of Civil Hospital Mohali. After the inspection, while talking to media persons, he said that the purpose of this inspection was to check and ensure that the announcement by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann regarding providing free medicines to the patients at Government hospitals was being properly implemented. Mr. Verma also spoke to patients coming out of the Civil Hospital and inquired from them as to whether they had been provided all the medicines prescribed by the doctors free of cost. All the patients confirmed that they had got free medicines and appreciated this public welfare initiative of the Government. Mr. Verma said that in consultation with the doctors, an Essential Drug List (EDL) comprising of 276 drugs has been prepared by the Health Department. Out of these, rate contracts have been done for 90 of the drugs. For the remaining drugs and drug prescribed by Government doctors, the Senior Medical Officers (SMO) will purchase the medicines from the market and provide them to the patients so that patients do not have to spend anything from their pocket for purchase of prescribed medicines. For this purpose, Rs. 25 Cr has been approved by the Chief Minister. The Financial powers of SMOs have been increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2.50 Lakhs to enable them to purchase these medicines. The Chief Secretary said that there are 23 District Hospitals, 41 Sub Divisional Hospitals and 161 Community Health Centres in the State. The above system has been put in place in all these hospitals. He further said that yesterday on his directions all the Deputy Commissioners in the State had conducted an inspection of their District Hospitals to ensure implementation of above decision. In addition, all the Deputy Commissioners held detailed meeting with Civil Surgeons and SMOs to resolve any teething problems. Mr. Verma said that if any patient coming to any of the above Government Hospitals does not get the medicine prescribed by the Government doctor, he she should immediately get in touch with the SMO or the DC concerned. In addition, the matter may be reported at Helpline No. 1100. He also directed the Health Department to ensure that this public welfare decision of the Government is implemented in letter and spirit. The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary, Health Mr. Ajoy Sharma and MD, Punjab Health System Corporation Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma. (editor dailyworld.in)