AYUSH dispensaries in Seema need govt attention: RDD Kumar

Kadapa: The purpose of establishing government dispensaries of Ayurvedam, Yoga, Unani, Sidda and Homeopathy, run by AYUSH department, was not served in eight districts of Rayalaseema region, according to official sources. Despite repeated representations from the authorities considered for rectifying the lapses in maintaining AYUSH dispensaries, the government allegedly gave deaf ear since several years.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Thursday, Regional Deputy Director Dr KV Kumar Babu admitted that a number of AYUSH dispensaries were closed due to shortage of medical officers. Out of the 83 Ayurvedic, 56 homeo and 48 unani dispensaries in eight districts like Chittoor, Tirupati, Kadapa, Annamayya, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kurnool and Nandyal, 39 dispensaries were door-locked and 21 were temporarily closed. Due to lack of medical officers and shortage of paramedical staff, it became inevitable to close the doors of several dispensaries, he informed.

The Regional Deputy Director further said that once in a while adequate drugs are being supplied to all the working dispensaries to meet the requirements.

He said that the government has sanctioned Rs 3.5 lakh to each AYUSH dispensary for providing minimum infrastructure facilities.

Instructions were given to all the senior medical officers of AYUSH dispensaries to maintain patients’ strength up to 100 per day, he added. Dr KV Kumar Babu exuded confidence that the government will fill up vacancies of medical officers at the earliest for effective functioning of AYUSH dispensaries.