Opposition hits out at Himachal govt over ‘crumbling health facilities’

Shimla, February 26

Opposition BJP today hit out at the government for its failure to rein in the prescribing of expensive medicines by doctors in hospitals under the influence of pharma companies and the crumbling health facilities in most health institutions across the Himachal.

Participating in the debate on the cut motion in the Health and Family Welfare department, Una MLA Satpal Singh Satti raised the issue of the medicine mafia exploiting patients and doctors prescribing expensive medicines for minor ailments which are neither required nor patients can afford.

Satti said the government must enhance the bond money from doctors to ensure that those who quit government jobs are made to pay hefty amounts.

Initiating the debate, Sullah MLA Vipin Parmar urged the government to re-open the health institutions that have been closed in his Assembly segment. He said there were huge vacancies, affecting services.

Participating in the debate, Paonta Sahib MLA Sukh Ram Chaudhary said people in most of the remote areas of Shillai, Renuka and Paonta Sahib were suffering as there was acute shortage of doctors, nurses and other para-medical staff.

Janak Raj demanded that health infrastructure in the remote Pangi area must be strengthened by relaxing the norms, considering the difficult topography. Randhir Sharma said owing to non-payment of dues under Himcare and Ayushman health schemes, patients were being denied free treatment.