Ayurvedic dispensaries face medicine shortage, patients left to suffer

Government Ayurvedic dispensaries and hospitals are grappling with a severe medicine shortage, leaving patients in distress. The crisis has caused a sharp drop in outpatient department (OPD) footfall, down by 30–40 per cent. The department last procured medicines in December 2023, distributing them to Ayurveda dispensaries and hospitals.

The shortage raises concerns about traditional healthcare access in the state, with experts warning that prolonged delays could erode public trust in Ayurvedic institutions. Medicines are provided free to patients, but many dispensaries have exhausted stocks while others hold just 10–15 per cent. With shelves bare, patient numbers have plummeted.

Punjab has 524 Ayurvedic dispensaries, including 64 in Ludhiana district. Of these, 41 are state-run while the rest operate under the National Health Mission. Doctors, with no alternatives, are sourcing medicines themselves, turning to NGOs, or directing patients to buy from outside. Ironically, as the government promotes alternative medicine, it fails to ensure regular supplies to these centres, which should receive 60 types of medicines.

A doctor from a government Ayurvedic dispensary said: “It has been nearly a year since we received proper stock. We have a few medicines left and are arranging others ourselves. We don’t want patients to turn away, so we are doing everything possible.”

In the absence of medicines, patients have stopped visiting dispensaries. “We simply don’t have medicines. For a while, I procured them personally, but now it’s difficult. How can we treat patients without them? Earlier, 40–50 visited daily, but now it’s barely 5–10,” said the doctor in charge of another district dispensary.

“I used to visit the Ayurvedic dispensary near my home for cough, cold and fever. They gave medicines free before, but now they ask us to buy from chemists. Outside Ayurvedic medicines are very costly. I’ve started going to the nearby primary health centre,” said Meena, a Model Town resident.

Dr Raman Khanna, District Ayurveda and Unani Officer with additional charge as Director Ayurveda, Punjab, admitted the shortage and assured action. “The procurement process is underway; tenders have been floated and medicines will reach dispensaries soon,” he said.