Shortage of essential medicines at most of the health centres in the district has affected general public in the district. 

Shyam Bishwakarma, a local of Nele, said he returned empty-handed from a local health post as it did not have the drug he was looking for. 

Despite government’s strong instructions to concerned bodies to ensure smooth health services, health facilities here are yet to receive the essential medicines that should be provided to the needy free of cost. 

According to locals, the health centres do not have even medicines like cetamol, amoxicillin and metronidazole tablets. 

According to Pawan Lama, an information officer at the District Public Health Office, even the district hospital is reeling under medicine shortage due to budget crunch. The concerned authorities have not been able to supply medicines to rural areas, he said. 

According to health workers, as many as 22 types of medicines that are distributed to the needy for free are in short supply. People are forced to buy these free-of-cost medicines from pharmacies.