Lack of medicines hit Nizamia Hospital

There is no dearth of demand for traditional medicine but the lack of medicines is hitting the Nizamia General Hospital hard. The hospital needs Rs 3 lakh worth medicines but is getting a supply of just Rs 1.5 lakh worth medicines. Mohammed Rafi Ahmed, superintendent, Nizamia General Hospital says “After a lot of persuasion we had got the authorities to supply Rs 3 lakh worth medicines from Rs 80 thousand per month in 2012-13 period but it was discontinued.”

No medicines

The Unani Hospital is known for its medicines but the shortage is causing a severe strain not only for the hospital but to the patients who have to procure medicines from private medical stores. The common medicines such as Habbe Jograj Gokul, Habbe Suranjan, Habbe Nukra, Habbe Aasaab, Habbe Maraveed, Qurse Habresham, and Zindu Bedastar which are crucial and in great demand there is a severe shortage.

Some of the medicines are proven to be beneficial and in great demand, for instance, Habbe Suranjan helps people with Rheumatoid arthritis. Habbe Nukrah is used for facial paralysis and Habbe Aasaab is known to stimulate the nervous system. People are returning to traditional medicine and the demand is growing by the day. At such a time the lack of government support does not augur well, says Fatima (name changed on request) a student of Government Nizamia Tibbi College.

The patients at the hospital are suffering not just due to the lack of medicines but also due to the repair works that are going on at the hospital. A senior doctor said, “A few years ago the occupancy level was full but due to the inconvenience due to repair works, lack of medicines and staff the occupancy level has fallen.” At present there are about 100 inpatients in the 180 bedded hospital.

To compound the problem of lack of medicine, the shortage of staff too is a serious concern. There are four register posts and 16 nurses posts vacant since seven years. There are 85 vacancies out of 212. There is requirement for scavengers, electricians and tailors. Recently an electrician was appointed on temporary basis out of the Hospital Development Society Fund (HDSF).

Shortage of major medicines

• The hospital used to get 150 varieties of medicines which has dropped to 52
• Hospital needs medicines worth Rs 5 lakh but gets just Rs 1.5 lakh worth medicines
• Habbe Jograj Gokul, Habbe Suranjan, Habbe Nukra, Habbe Aasaab, Habbe Maraveed, Qurse Habresham, Zindu Bedastar among others are in short supply.

Staff crunch

• 85 vacancies yet to be filled
• Scavengers, tailors, electricians vacancies vacant since seven years
• 16 nurses vacancies
• Post bifurcation 94 para medical staff allotted to Commissioner of Ayush, leaving 34 staff including doctors for Nizamia General Hospital

By:T P Venu