Reach the Poor: - Access to Free Medicines in Rajasthan ,India there by increasing access and equity of under served population

                                  *By;   Dr. P.C.Ranka

·         “Mukhya Mantri Nishulk Dava Yojna” was launched on 2^nd Oct. 2011. The scheme aimed to benefit all the patients coming to government hospitals in Rajasthan.

·         This ambitious scheme for healthcare sector of the state has provision for free medicines for everyone under umbrella of “Mukhyamantri Nishulk Dava Yojana”. The entire population of the state i.e     7 crore people are being benefitted under this scheme and in future no individual is deprived of essential medicines.

·         Under this scheme, all outdoor and indoor patients visiting medical college attached hospitals, district hospitals, community health centers, primary health centers and sub centers are being provided commonly used essential medicines. Currently 500 medicines, surgical & sutures are provided; it has been increased to 600.

·         Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation has been constituted as a central procurement agency for purchase of medicines, surgical & sutures for the departments of M&H and Medical Education. RMSC is supplying medicines etc. to all government health institutions through District Drug Warehouses (DDW) established in all 33 districts of the State.

·         The scheme is being implemented at 28 Medical attached hospitals, 56 DH/SDH/Satellite Hospital 543 CHC’s , 2112 PHC/S, 14365 Sub-centre; total at approximately  17000 health institutions. 

·         Distribution of drugs to patients is being ensured through approximately free Drug Distribution Centers (DDC) established across all healthcare institutions of the state.

·         Quality of drugs being supplied is ensured by testing of drugs at empanelled drug testing laboratories.

 Budget for procurement of Medicines, Surgical & Sutures

·               Annual Budget is 300 Crores.                                                   

·            Medicine availability at Healthcare Institutions

        Medical College & attached Hospitals: 450-500, District Hospital: 325-400

        CHC: 150-250, PHC/Dispensary: 100-125, Sub-centre: 20-30

·            Under the scheme medicines for the treatment of critical and severe disease are also available like 21 drugs for Cancer, 35 drugs for heart diseases, 13 drugs for Diabetes & 12 drugs for Asthma.

·            Costly medicines are also being made available under the aegis of the scheme. At present 45 drugs & 14 Surgical & Suture items are costing more than Rs.500 as unit cost.

·            Number of Beneficiaries upto July 2013 12.72 Crore registered patients.

·            More than two lacs patients are being benefitted every day

IMPACT

·               After implementation of scheme, number of outdoor and indoor patients has increased significantly at government hospitals.

·            Due to implementation of this scheme several youth have got employment.

       - 1345 Pharmacist have been recruited permanently under this Scheme.

      - 3600 Computer Operator and Information Assistant have been engaged on Contract.

·               After implementation of the Scheme there is a substantial increase in number of girl child (upto age of 6 years) coming for treatment to Government Hospitals. This will help improve gender ratio by aiding “Save the girl child” programme.

·            There is huge amount of reduction in out of pocket expenditure in the treatment of common man because now they are getting costly medicines free of cost. Since the launch of the scheme a huge amount of approx. 475.54 Cr. has been spent on medicines which cost around 2000 Cr. at market price. This means out of pocket expenditure saving of Rs. 2000 Cr. to common man of the State.

*Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation, Swasthya Bhawan, Jaipur Rajasthan