The Maharashtra government has announced that all patients admitted to state-run hospitals will now receive a “medicine box” containing essential medicines and medical supplies needed for their treatment.
According to reports by Navshakti, the decision comes amid growing complaints about shortages of medicines and irregular supply in government hospitals. Due to these shortages, many patients especially those from economically weaker sections were forced to purchase expensive medicines from outside.
The state’s Medical Education Minister, Hasan Mushrif, has taken serious note of the issue and instructed hospital administrations to ensure that patients do not face any inconvenience. Officials stated that under the new initiative, patients will receive the medicine box immediately upon admission.
Even if hospital stock is limited, patients will still have uninterrupted access to medicines, unlike earlier practices where nurses distributed medicines at fixed times from the hospital inventory. With the new system, medicines will be kept directly with patients, ensuring easier access and reducing dependence on internal supply chains.
The medicine box will include not only prescribed medicines but also essential medical items such as injections, IV sets, gloves, syringes, cotton, and bandages, which patients previously had to arrange themselves.
Hospital authorities have warned that if any staff member asks patients to buy medicines from outside under this new system, strict action will be taken.
This initiative is expected to provide significant relief to patients and improve the functioning of state healthcare facilities across Maharashtra.
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